***UPDATE #2 - August 19, 2025***
Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on August 14th, 2025, in the 400 block of W. 28th Street, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey announced the officer involved as seven-year officer Nicolas Deem.
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.
##IP250070928##
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***UPDATE #1 – August 14, 2025***
On August 14, 2025, IMPD Homicide detectives arrested 32-year-old Mickel Thacker on numerous charges for his alleged role in the original domestic disturbance in the 7700 block of Knue Road on August 13, 2025.
Thacker was taken into custody in the 2700 block of Paris Avenue and arrested on the preliminary charges of robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, strangulation, domestic battery, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
The officer-involved shooting remains an active and ongoing incident. At least one other suspect remains at large.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) will ultimately make the final charging decisions. Thacker should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case: IP250070927
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INCIDENT LOCATION: 400 Block of W. 28th Street
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Sergeant Brian Lambert, [email protected]
*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected]*
The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.
On August 13, 2025, just before 9:00 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) North District officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 7700 block of Knue Road. The victim reported being assaulted by a male suspect armed with a gun. The suspect fled the home in a vehicle before officers arrived. Officers were given a description of the suspect’s vehicle at the scene of the domestic disturbance.
At approximately 12:00 a.m. on August 14, 2025, a North District officer in a fully marked patrol vehicle located the suspect’s vehicle traveling westbound near East 30th Street and Ruckle Street. The officer waited for backup before attempting a traffic stop. When officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, the suspect refused to stop, and a short vehicle pursuit followed.
In the 400 block of West 28th Street, two people exited the vehicle and multiple shots were fired at the officers by at least one of the fleeing suspects, and one officer returned fire.
A suspect description was broadcast to responding units, and additional resources—including IMPD K9 officers and an IMPD drone—were deployed to search the area. The suspects remain at large. Detectives have no reason at this time to believe that the outstanding suspects are a threat to the community.
There are no known injuries to officers, suspects, or uninvolved community members.
Detectives recovered fired cartridge casings near where the suspects fled on foot. The suspect’s vehicle continued moving for several blocks before coming to a stop in the 500 block of West 28th Street.
The officer who discharged their firearm is a seven-year IMPD veteran and was equipped with a body-worn camera and in-car video system, both of which were activated.
The IMPD Victim Assistance Unit is working with the domestic assault victim to provide supportive resources.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to collect potential forensic evidence. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office also responded to assist in the investigation.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team is leading the criminal investigation. A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. As standard procedure in officer-involved shooting incidents, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave.
Following the criminal investigation, the civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will hold a mandatory hearing regarding the attempted use of deadly force.
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for those involved.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Brian Lambert at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475, or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
Case Number: IP250070928
