INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis police officer shot and killed a man Wednesday afternoon after what officials called an "active attack" occurred at an east-side business park.
IMPD Southeast District officers were called just before 4 p.m. Wednesday to the 1400 block of Brookville Way for a disturbance with a weapon. While en route to the area, which is near the exit of I-465 and Brookville Road, they were told a car crash had also been reported in the area.
Upon arrival at the scene, one IMPD officer reportedly saw an adult male brandishing a machete-style weapon. That officer then took out his service-issued weapon and shot the suspect, IMPD Sgt. William Young said.
The suspect was then immediately given first aid and was later taken to an area hospital in critical condition. In an update on Wednesday evening, the suspect was pronounced dead.
IMPD also encountered two victims on scene who had reportedly been attacked by the man armed with the machete.
After an investigation into the shooting, the suspect reportedly "intentionally rammed a vehicle" that the two victims were in. When the two victims, identified by police as a man and a woman, the suspect reportedly hit the woman with the machete in the body and in the head.
In an update on Wednesday evening from IMPD, Chief Chris Bailey said that this evening was "another example of the tough work that (IMPD) officers face." Bailey said the department is thankful that officers were not injured, but are "heartbroken" that two individuals were injured in the incident.
According to preliminary information by IMPD Deputy Chief Tanya Terry, officers gave verbal commands to the suspect to drop the machete, stressing that the officer told the suspect to "drop it" multiple times. The officer then attempted to create more distance from the suspect. When the suspect reportedly came closer to the officer, that is when the shooting occurred.
Terry said that the victims and the suspect reportedly knew each other. She said the suspect, a former employee at a business in the business park, was likely waiting for the victims to leave work before the attack. IMPD reportedly located a machete next to the suspect after the shooting.
"A witness also told investigators that the suspect told him he was about to witness a suicide by cop after his attack on this victims and before officers arrived, "an update from IMPD read.
The officer who fired his gun in the incident has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard by the department after officer-involved shootings.
Police confirmed that no officers were injured in the shooting. IMPD is asking that drivers avoid the area for several hours for an active and ongoing investigation.
In a statement from Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No 86 President Rick Snyder, he gave thanks to "the dedication and selfless service of Indianapolis police officer."
"Time and again, law enforcement officers place themselves in harm’s way to defend and protect residents and visitors of our capital city," Snyder said in the statement. "While we pray for the family of the deceased, we also pray for the victims of this attack and for this officer who was forced to take action in defense of life.
"Tonight violence was stopped, life was protected, and this officer is going home to their family without physical injury," Snyder continued.