Photo Courtesy of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department / News Release
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has two ongoing investigations after three police officers fired into a car containing a sleeping man.
According to a news release from the IMPD, three IMPD North District officers responded to a woman’s report about a suspicious vehicle in her driveway on Dec. 31, a little after 4 a.m. The woman confirmed she wasn’t familiar with the car, and officers witnessed a man who appeared to be sleeping in the driver’s seat while the vehicle was running.
The report read that the man appeared armed with a gun on his lap. The officers ran the license plate that read Florida to see who the vehicle belonged to. The woman told officers she didn’t have family in Florida.
The officers’ original plan was to open the door and grab the gun, but the doors were locked. One of the officers then knocked on the window and announced, “Police. Hands up.” Detectives confirmed that the man woke up and started moving around, prompting the three officers to shoot him. The man reportedly looked towards the officers and moved his arms in their direction, yet they couldn’t confirm if he had a gun in his hand.
The officers provided medical assistance until the Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived and transported him to Methodist Hospital. He’s currently in stable condition.
The report stated that the body cameras were activated during the incident and that the officers involved were placed on administrative leave.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) and the IMPD Critical Incident Response are investigating the incident while the IMPD Internal Affairs are conducting a separate administrative investigation. The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will have a hearing for the attempted use of deadly force against the individual.
When it’s ready, the bodycam footage will be released to the public.