IMPD officer shot, killed, female injured on city’s east side

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was shot and killed and a female was injured Thursday afternoon on the east side of Indianapolis, according to IMPD.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of Edinburge Square, near 21st and Franklin.

Officers were called to the apartment for a domestic incident, IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey said. When they arrived, shots were fired and the officer and a female inside the apartment were shot.

Officer Breann Leath, 24, later died, IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said. She was a mother and a graduate of Southport High School.

Leath's mother is a long-time emergency dispatcher for the Marion County Sheriff's Office and her father is a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy.

She was a member of IMPD's 16th Recruit Class and has been with the department for two years.

Leath and four other IMPD officers were called to the apartment on the report of a domestic disturbance between a boyfriend and girlfriend, according to a press release from IMPD.

Shortly after the officers arrived, shots were fired from inside the apartment while officers were still outside, according to the release. Other officers were unable to bring Leath with them when they backed out of the hallway. A rescue team was created to get Leath.

In March 2019, Leath helped a 79-year-old man who was the victim of fraud.

Elliahs Dorsey, 27, was arrested and preliminarily charged with murder and attempted murder, IMPD Sgt. Grace Sibley said in an email. Formal charges have not been filed, according to online court records.

He was still armed when officers rescued the female and Leath, according to the release.

Officers did not fire any shots during the incident.

IMPD

The officer and female were taken to an area hospital, Bailey said.

The female who was shot multiple times is stable condition at IU Health Methodist Hospital as of Thursday evening, according to a press release from IMPD.

IMPD's Critical Incident Response Team was called to the scene, Bailey said.

The department is working to ensure there is enough staffing at the scene and in the districts to continue responding to calls, Bailey said.

Leath is the second IMPD female officer to die in the line of duty.

MORE INFO | Officer Leath second IMPD female officer to die in line of duty

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is asking people to light the city blue to support IMPD and first responders, still working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hogsett asks people to find a way to remember the sacrifice of Leath when Monument Circle and buildings in the city are lit up blue.

All flags in the city should be lowered to half-staff, Hogsett said.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is asking for Hoosiers to honor Leath's service and dedication to the community.

Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder says the memorial response team has been "fully activated" and are taking steps to honor Leath and her family.

City-County Council President Vop Osili released the following statement on behalf of the City-County Council:

The investigation into the incident is still on-going.

Anyone with information is asked to call IMPD homicide detectives at 317-327-3475 or report tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477).