*** UPDATE #2 - March 4, 2025 ***
Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in the 120 block of N State Street, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey announces the officer involved as 3rd year patrol officer Grant Snyder.
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.
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*** UPDATE #1 – February 26, 2025 ***
The Marion County Coroner's Office (MCCO) has identified the deceased suspect as 31-year-old Adam Sykes.
Upon further investigation, body-worn camera footage shows that during the foot pursuit, Sykes fell to the ground, dropping an object that appears to be a silver and black firearm. The footage then shows him rolling over in the direction of officers while trying to regain control of what detectives believe is the gun recovered at the scene. That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.
Preliminary information indicates that officers initiated contact with Sykes due to recognizing him and knowing he had an active warrant for his arrest.
Sykes was confirmed to have an active Marion County probation violation warrant.
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INCIDENT TYPE: Active Investigation Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting
INCIDENT LOCATION:
Initial Call: 1600 block of Washington Street
Officer-Involved Shooting: 120 block of State Street
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Detective Brian Lambert, brian.lambert2@indy.gov
*Media inquiries should be made to IMPD.PublicAffairs@indy.gov*
The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.
On Tuesday February 25, 2025, at around 2:15 a.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) East District officers were called to a business in the 1600 block of East Washington on a report of a person injured. Prior to arriving on scene, officers learned a female victim walked into the business saying she had been assaulted by several individuals.
Officers arrived on-scene and spoke to the female victim who said she was assaulted and requested medics. Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) was dispatched to the location.
The female victim was transported to an area hospital for her injuries.
While investigating the assault, an officer recognized an adult male leaving the business, who he believed had an active warrant for his arrest. The officer attempted to speak to that suspect, but the suspect said, “I don’t have to talk to you” and walked away from officer with his hands in his pockets. The officer told the suspect to “pull your hands out of your pockets for me” but the suspect did not and ran away from officer.
A short foot pursuit ensued during which an officer says, “hands out of your pockets or you’re going to get tased.” During the pursuit, the officer deployed his taser and at some point, an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Officers then began to render medical aid at the scene.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
No uninvolved community members were injured during this incident. Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Detectives located a firearm next to the suspect (a photo of the firearm is attached).
The officers involved were equipped with body-worn cameras, which were activated during this incident.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will release the decedent's name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made. There is no suspect outstanding.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officer, who fired their gun, has 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 provide peer support for officers.
The IMPD Victims Assistance Unit responded to the hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to call. Detective Brian Lambert at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475. Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
Case Number – IP250016134
