INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer fired at least one shot during an encounter with a vehicle theft suspect, according to preliminary information from police.
IMPD officers were called around 8:30 p.m. to the 2200 block of Graves Light Drive on the report of a vehicle theft, IMPD Major Kerry Buckner said.
The officer saw the man in a truck and was trying to steal a trailer, Buckner said. The officer asked the man to get out of the truck and the man ran into another car.
The officer tried to pull the suspect from the driver's seat of the other vehicle. During a struggle by the driver's side door, the suspect began driving away and the officer fired his gun, an update from IMPD said.
Police do not believe the suspect was struck by gunfire.
Another person in the other car ran away but is now cooperating with police, Buckner said.
Buckner said the man is not in custody at this time. Detectives are asking for the public's help locating the white man and the red or maroon Cadillac he left the scene in.
The officer was checked out by Indianapolis EMS personnel for a minor injury and is in good condition, Buckner said.
IMPD Officer William Young said the officer is talking with investigators.
Detectives learned the truck the suspect used to try to steal the trailer had been stolen earlier in the day from the same location.
IMPD is attempting to identify the suspect.
The officer had his body-worn camera activated at the time of the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. John Breedlove at 317-327-3475 or email him at John.Breedlove@indy.gov. People can also call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana anonymously at 317-262-8477.
