IMPD identifies officer involved in shooting which killed one person on the East Side

This story has been updated on Nov. 24, 2023 to include the name of the officer involved in the shooting.

A man was shot and killed by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer on Friday, Nov. 17. The shooting happened on the East Side after police tried to stop a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Demarqus Whitley. Whitley had an active warrant on felony firearm charges, including guns stolen from vehicles in the Broad Ripple area.

A police chase ensued and ended near the intersection of Ruskin Place and Mitchner Avenue. Whitley and a passenger got out of the car and ran from police. 

Police said the passenger was running away when he pulled an object from his waistband. An officer shot the man, who later died at the hospital.

On Nov. 24, IMPD identified the officer involved as 8-year veteran Patrol Officer Mitchel Farnsley.

The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the man as 31-year-old Leandre Krushaun Houston.

Police said a gun was found near the scene.

Police were wearing body cameras.

At a briefing Friday night, IMPD Major Seth Ferrell said IMPD is aware of the recent, unusual frequency of police-involved shootings.

“We continue to have these situations where officers are giving lawful commands for an individual to stop and they are ignoring those commands,” Ferrell said.

This marks the 16th incident this year in which Indianapolis police were involved in a shooting.

Officers found Whitley hiding under a truck. He came out as instructed, and officers took him into custody. 

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The officer who fired their weapon was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing after the conclusion of the criminal process.