INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer shot a mentally handicapped man Monday afternoon after being called to the south side by the man's mother.
Police said the unidentified man's mother called 911, saying her son was threatening to commit suicide by police.
Officers arrived to find 36-year-old Matthew Cullom in an agitated state.
"The officer immediately encountered someone who was approaching him in a threatening manner with his hand wrapped up in a towel," IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams said.
According to police, the officer began to back up and gave Cullom loud verbal commands to "put it down" and "drop it." Cullom reportedly ignored those commands and approached the officer while saying, "I'm going to (expletive) kill you," as he raised his arm.
The officer then fired once, striking the man in the hip.
A second officer provided Cullom with medical aid and applied "quick clot" to the bullet wound.
As of Tuesday night, police said Cullom was recovering recovering from his injuries at the hospital.
The officer was on paid administrative leave pending the availability of coping services before being allowed to return to work.
