January 26, 2024

Indianapolis records first officer-involved shooting of 2024, man identified

Indianapolis records first officer-involved shooting of 2024, man identified

Update: This story was updated to include the identity of the man who was shot. 

A man was shot and killed by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers Thursday night. The incident happened on Indianapolis’s near east side as police attempted to stop the 48-year-old man who was wanted on a firearms warrant.

IMPD officers gave commands from a distance from their police cars. Police said initial reports indicate the man exited his car and shot at officers and they returned fire. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the man as Raphael Nafees Dekemper.

The officers were wearing body-worn cameras that were activated during this incident. The officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

IMPD will conduct an investigation. The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a hearing after criminal proceedings are finished.

This is the first officer-involved shooting of 2024. Last year IMPD officers were involved in 18 such shootings.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.

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