Man killed after vehicle pursuit, shots fired by Indianapolis and Lawrence police

A police pursuit in Indianapolis on Monday afternoon ended with an officer-involved shooting and the death of a man. 

The shooting was the 17th of 2024 involving Indianapolis police. That slightly down from 2023 when the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported 18 shootings, the highest number in recent years. IMPD entered into a review with the U.S. Department of Justice to examine a cause for the spike. The DOJ is looking at data, policies and practices instituted by the department.

According an IMPD release: Shortly after 4 p.m. Monday,  officers with the Lawrence Police Department attempted a traffic stop near the 6900 block of Pendleton Pike. A female passenger exited the vehicle  while the male driver fled, prompting a pursuit involving LPD and IMPD officers. During the chase, the suspect fired shots at police.

The chase ended in the 6500 block of East 30th Street. That's when two Lawrence Police officers and one IMPD officer fired their guns. Officers then gave  verbal commands to the suspect to show his hands and put his hands up, according to the news release.

Next, SWAT officers and a drone were deployed to approach the vehicle safely. The suspect was found unresponsive inside and pronounced dead at the scene by Indianapolis EMS. A handgun was recovered near the suspect.

No officers or bystanders were injured.

The woman who exited the vehicle during the initial traffic stop was unharmed and is cooperating with the investigation, according to IMPD.

An investigation into the shooting is underway by the IMPD Critical Incident Response Team and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, as per standard procedure.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Sergeant Michael Duke at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.