INDIANAPOLIS — Newly filed court documents reveal a police chase, involving three juveniles, that ended in an officer-involved shooting on Indy's far east side was tied to a homicide investigation.
A probable cause affidavit details what led IMPD officers to pursue a vehicle on E. 10th Street — and what happened when someone inside that car opened fire on officers.
According to the affidavit, the incident began around 3 p.m., when IMPD responded to a homicide at 1400 N. Webster Avenue. Several juveniles were seen running from the scene.
Detectives surveilled a nearby residence on North Wallace Ave., where they observed individuals matching suspect descriptions leave in a 2014 silver Ford Escape.
SWAT followed the vehicle to the east side, where they attempted to stop it using a grappler device near East 10th Street.
According to the affidavit, a hand holding a firearm emerged from the front passenger window and ten shots were fired toward officers. An officer then returned fire.
The vehicle continued approximately 100 yards before officers stopped it by striking and blocking the car.
Officers recovered multiple weapons from inside the vehicle, including two Glock-style pistols, an AR-style pistol with no serial number, and a Glock conversion device that fell from a passenger's clothing during hospital treatment.
Four people were in the vehicle — three juveniles and one adult. After the vehicle was stopped, the adult driver refused officers' commands, reached toward his waistband despite repeated warnings, and fled on foot. Less-lethal rounds were fired and he was tased before being taken into custody.
Two of the juveniles were transported to Eskenazi Hospital — one with a gunshot wound to the hand, another with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. The third juvenile was treated for injuries not believed to be gunshot-related.
The affidavit includes a statement reportedly made by one of the juvenile passengers while being treated at Eskenazi.
An officer heard the teen admit to a nurse that he was the first to open fire, saying he didn't know it was the police and that he "busted back."
As of this report, no formal charges have been filed against any of the suspects. It is not known at this time whether any of the juvenile suspects will be charged as adults.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team is leading the criminal investigation. A separate administrative review is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs, and the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will hold a mandatory hearing regarding the attempted use of deadly force.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
