Update (05/28/2024): In a post on X, IMPD announced that officers had located a suspect vehicle and detained multiple individuals during their investigation of Tuesday's carjacking. One adult male was arrested for his alleged role in the incident.
IMPD reported that two other individuals were taken into custody for charges unrelated to the carjacking.
INDIANAPOLIS -- An armed carjacking led to a deadly officer-involved shooting Tuesday with IMPD on Indy's northeast side.
An IMPD officer on patrol spotted a car around 9 a.m. at the Cavalier Court apartments near 38th and Post that had been reported stolen just minutes earlier. That quickly led to a deadly police shooting.
"This incident is another stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of law enforcement and public safety generally," said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey.
Chief Bailey said officers were initially dispatched to a gas station on North Post Road on a reported carjacking. The victim, identified by Bailey as a woman, told officers she was held at gunpoint by multiple people who took her car.
A description of the suspect vehicle, as well as the victim’s vehicle, was given to officers in the area. An officer saw both vehicles at an apartment complex.
The officer reportedly encountered one of the suspects at the complex, Bailey said. The officer told the suspect to get on the ground and the suspect reportedly fled from the scene. As the suspect ran away, the officer reportedly told the suspect to “drop the gun.”
As the officer approached the suspect vehicle, Bailey said the suspect reportedly dropped an item. This was the point where the officer fired his weapon. Bailey said that the suspect continued to flee and the officer fired his weapon two more times.
Fortunately, no officers were hurt in the shooting, but the suspect who was shot died after being taken to the hospital.
"Once again my heart goes out to this community and everyone touched by these events. It's tragic and we don't want to be here," said Bailey.
IMPD said that detectives found two firearms with extended magazines, one of which was equipped with a machine conversion device, near the suspect. Photos of the guns, provided by IMPD, can be seen below:
The incident marks the 6th fatal officer-involved shooting so far this year, but the police chief insists had it not been for the reckless carjacking, the deadly shooting would've never happened.
"It's terrible. We don't want things to end this way. We also don't want people carjacked. We don't want innocent people with a gun stuck in their face," said Bailey.
During the shooting, police say two other suspects sped away from the scene in a second car. Officers are still working to locate those men.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated.
According to the release by IMPD:
"The officer was equipped with a body-worn camera, which was activated during this incident.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The Marion County Coroner’s Officer (MCCO) will release the decedent's name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officer who fired his gun has been placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting investigation.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any attempted use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers. The IMPD Chaplain’s Office responded to assist with those involved.
The IMPD Victims Assistance unit responded to assist officers and detectives.
Anyone with information is asked to call. Detective Sergeant Prater at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475. Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS."