INDIANAPOLIS — One suspect is dead after firing shots at IMPD and Lawrence officers during a police pursuit on Indy's east side.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, shortly after 4:00 p.m., officers with the Lawrence Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the 6900 block of Pendleton Pike.
A female occupant exited the passenger side during the stop, leaving just the suspect in the car. The female remained on the scene and did not get back inside the vehicle.
Police said the suspect in the car led officers on a police chase. IMPD officers responded to assist. During the chase, they said the suspect fired shots in the direction of pursuing Lawrence officers.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop near 30th and Shadeland Avenue, at that time an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Two Lawrence Police officers and one IMPD officer fired at the suspect who was inside the vehicle.
"Officers gave multiple loud verbal commands to the suspect to show his hands and put his hands up. The officer continued to give commands for the suspect to step out of the vehicle with hands in the air. This went on for several minutes with no response from inside the vehicle," IMPD's Assistant Chief Micahel Wolley said.
IMPD SWAT officers in armored vehicles responded to the scene so that officers could safely approach the suspect vehicle without exposing themselves to further gunfire. A drone was also used during the incident to safely get a live video of the inside of the vehicle.
When IMPD SWAT approached the vehicle and located the suspect. He was pronounced deceased.
"It's unfortunate that our officers are engaged in this once again, in which the suspect or suspects in different situations could have complied with the police officers direction," Lawrence PD Chief Curtis Bigsbee said.
"Life is precious, and any time we lose a life in our community, it's not something any of us want. And I've said that repeatedly, and I mean it. And no officer, whether they're with IMPD or with Lawrence, wakes up in the morning and wants to engage in this kind of situation, especially having to live with the fact that you had to use force to protect our community to defend yourself, and that resulted in someone losing their life," IMPD's Chief Chris Bailey said.
A gun was located on-scene near the suspect.
Neither the woman who exited the vehicle during the traffic stop nor the officers were harmed during the incident.
"This is yet another example. We think I've said that multiple times here recently about attacks on the officers and violence coming to them as a result of things that don't have to, they don't have to go that direction. So I am thankful that know that the Lawrence officer initiated this pursuit doing his job, didn't get hit by gunfire."
IMPD will work closely with the Lawrence Police Department throughout the investigation.
IMPD can now confirm there was an officer-involved shooting at this location. No officers were injured.
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) December 30, 2024
Media staging is at the gas station located on the corner of 30th and Arlington.
Media will be moved closer once the scene is secure.
Additional updates to come. https://t.co/OZbFKIUXG6 pic.twitter.com/i8IOUV56x6
