***UPDATE***
Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in the 7800 block of River Road, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey announces the names of the officers involved as 9-year veteran Officer Michelle Clegg and 14-year veteran Sergeant Evan Meyer.
IMPD will continue to be fair and transparent with our community while protecting the integrity of criminal investigations and officer safety. IMPD formalized a policy in 2020 which outlines when and how officers involved in critical incidents should be identified to the public. This policy solidifies IMPD’s practice of conducting a threat assessment by the IMPD Intelligence Unit following a critical incident and prior to releasing the names of the officers involved to protect the officer and their families. This policy ensures information is provided to the public as soon as possible.
This incident is being investigated by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Detectives are working with the Marion County Prosecutors Office and the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency to complete a fair and thorough investigation.
IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit is conducting a separate internal investigation to ensure compliance with departmental policy, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory review of this incident as it does for any use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
##IP240086521##
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*This information is preliminary and subject to change.
INCIDENT TYPE: Check Welfare Call Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting
INCIDENT LOCATION: 7800 block of River Road
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Detective Gary Toms, [email protected]
*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected]*
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, shortly before 11:30 a.m., IMPD North District officers were dispatched to the 7800 block of River Road for a check the welfare of a female who was not answering her phone. While enroute to the incident, dispatch provided an update that the female caller stated that someone was holding a female hostage. Officers responded to the scene and initially came in contact with the female caller, outside the apartment building. The female caller told officers that the female victim was inside and being held hostage. Officers approached the apartment, knocked on the door, announced themselves and attempted to make contact with individuals inside. Officers continued to give verbal requests to the occupants inside the apartment to come to the door and speak with the officers.
After numerous attempts by officers to get the occupants of the apartment to come to the door, they heard a female screaming inside the apartment. At the same time, another officer on-scene near the rear of the residence observed a male inside the apartment with a firearm. Officers then made forced entry to the apartment due to the exigent circumstances. Officers were met with gunfire from the alleged suspect. At some point, an officer involved shooting occurred.
The suspect, an adult male, was shot at least once and transported to an area hospital. At last check, he was in stable condition. The female inside the apartment was not injured.
Detectives located a firearm inside the residence within feet of the suspect (a photo of the firearm is attached).
No officers were injured during this incident. No uninvolved citizens were injured during this incident. Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
The officers involved were equipped with body-worn cameras during this incident.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative investigation. The two officers who fired their firearms have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting investigation.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any attempted use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to the scene to provide peer support for officers. The IMPD Chaplain’s Office and Victim Assistance Unit responded to assist those involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gary Toms at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475. Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
Case Number – IP240086521
