INDIANAPOLIS — Police said a wanted, armed man who allegedly shot at officers on the city's east side is in critical condition after a multi-hour manhunt at last came to an end. The man reportedly barricaded himself in a house, shot fireworks at SWAT who tried to enter and, ultimately, turned a gun against himself.
Police previously warned residents to stay indoors and avoid the area of 21st and Emerson as police searched for an armed man on the loose who allegedly shot at police.
"The area is not safe," the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"Residents are asked to stay in their homes and avoid the area," IMPD said. "Call 911 immediately if you see something."
According to police, officers with a violent reduction task force were in the area of 21st and Emerson shortly before 3:30 p.m. searching for a man wanted on a warrant. Officers spotted the wanted suspect and approached him in full police uniforms, IMPD said.
The suspect allegedly ran from police with a handgun in hand. An officer pursued the suspect. During the pursuit, the officer reportedly heard a gunshot and saw dirt fly up in front of him. The officer wasn't hit and did not return fire.
A police run shows that SWAT were called to the 5100 block of E. 20th Place to assist in searching for the wanted man. Police also deployed K9s and drones.
As police combed the area and warned residents to stay away and stay indoors, police eventually narrowed the search to Hawthorne Lane.
Shortly before 6 p.m., police said the suspect had barricaded himself inside a residence.
IMPD said officers spoke for hours on the phone with the suspect but he refused to surrender. SWAT ended up entering the home but IMPD claims the suspect threw and shot fireworks at the police to drive them out.
SWAT ended up throwing tear gas canisters into the home. After repeated attempts to contact the suspect failed, SWAT re-entered the home and supposedly found the suspect suffering from a gunshot wound.
The suspect was rushed from the scene in critical condition to a nearby hospital. Police said a handgun was reportedly found in the suspect's lap.
IMPD does believe the suspect had ties to the homeowner whose residence he had barricaded himself in. No one else was inside the home, however.
Officers will remain in the area on Hawthrone Lane while investigation continues into the case. IMPD said there is no longer any threat in the area and all people are accounted for involved in this incident.
If you have information about the wanted suspect, call Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS to remain anonymous.