INDIANAPOLIS — Police say officers saw what was believed to be a drug deal before a man pointed a gun at them and was fatally shot by police earlier this month.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department FLEX Team officers say they saw what they believe was a drug deal involving a van, IMPD Officer Genae Cook said in a press release. When officers pulled the van over, Deshon Downing, a passenger in the van, allegedly pointed a gun at one of the officers. Two officers then shot Downing. He later died.
The incident happened on Aug. 2 near East 42nd Street and Richelieu Road.
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The driver of the van, who was uninjured, gave investigators a statement and was released, Cook said.
The officers who allegedly shot Downing will stay on administrative leave while the incident remains under investigation, Cook said.
Downing was shot multiple times by officers, IMPD Chief Bryan Roach said in a press conference after the incident.
Two guns, one underneath the driver's seat and one on the ground by the driver's side door, were located at the scene, Roach said.
When IMPD began a body camera trial program in July, only beat officers in the north, east and southeast districts who work the middle shift were given cameras.
