Full Notification

INCIDENT TYPE: Firearms Investigation and Shot Fired Leads to Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) Investigation
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 5100 E 21st Street
 
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Brian Lambert, [email protected]                
*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected] *
 
The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.
 
At approximately 3:25 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers with the East District Violence Reduction Team (VRT) and detectives with the East District Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) were looking for a suspect with active warrants who was also sought in connection with a firearms investigation. The officers, in full police uniforms, located the suspect and attempted to make contact by approaching him on foot. At that time, the suspect took off running with a handgun is his hand. One officer pursued the suspect on foot while giving loud commands for the suspect to stop. At some point during the foot pursuit, the officer heard a gunshot and saw dirt fly up directly in front of him.  No officers were injured, and no officers discharged their firearms. 
 
After hearing the gun shot, officers lost visual of the suspect as he continued to flee. Additional officers quickly responded and established a perimeter around the area where the suspect was last seen. The IMPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, K9 Unit, drone operators, and Crisis Negotiators responded to assist. 
 
Using technology and investigative techniques, officers were able to locate the suspect inside a residence in the 1900 block of Hawthorne Lane. IMPD SWAT officers began giving loud, verbal commands using a public address (PA) system to any occupants of the residence. The suspect was believed to be the only person inside the home and remained barricaded inside the residence for several hours.  
 
IMPD Crisis Negotiators at the scene communicated with the suspect via telephone for several hours, attempting to build rapport and get him to surrender peacefully. The suspect refused to surrender, and IMPD SWAT eventually pushed open the door of the residence using an armored vehicle. The suspect then began throwing firecrackers at officers and setting fireworks off inside the home. SWAT utilized tear gas in an attempt to coerce the suspect to exit the house. The suspect remained inside and did not make any more contact with officers.  
 
After all attempts to get the suspect to surrender failed, SWAT entered the residence to search for him. The suspect was located inside the home with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS), who were staged at a nearby intersection, quickly moved in and transported the suspect to an area hospital in critical condition. A handgun was located in the suspect’s lap.
 
Homicide Investigators from the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) have taken the lead on the criminal investigation, which is standard procedure in an investigation involving shots fired at a law enforcement officer. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to assist in identifying and collecting potential forensic evidence.  
 
Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community. No suspect is outstanding regarding this incident. Investigators continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence.
 
IMPD CIRT detectives will consult with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office who will review this case and make the final charging decision.
 
Anyone with information about this incident should call the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. This release may be updated as more information becomes available. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.
 
Case# IP240062224