INDIANAPOLIS — A person who was shot by an IMPD officer on the southeast side of Indianapolis Wednesday afternoon has died.
The shooting happened in the 1400 block of Brookville Way, near the Brookville Road and Interstate 465 interchange. There is an office park in that area.
Officers initially responded to a report of a crash. When they arrived at the scene, they were encountered by a man with what police described as a machete.
An officer ordered the man to drop the weapon, but police said he did not comply with the commands and moved quickly toward the officer. The officer then fired at the suspect, wounding him.
Officers administered medical aid to the man before he was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The suspect later died from his injuries.
Investigators learned the suspect reportedly rammed into another vehicle, which had a man and a woman inside. One of them got out of the car and the man allegedly struck them in the head and body with the machete. The man who was in the car went into a nearby business for help.
Police said the woman sustained injuries that appeared to be from being hit in the head and body with the machete, while the man was apparently injured in the crash. Both of those victims were taken to the hospital, where an IMPD spokesperson described their condition as "stable."
Investigators say the victims and suspect knew one another and believe the suspect was waiting for the man and woman to leave work before attacking them. Police said the suspect was a former employee of one of the businesses in the office park where the attack and shooting occurred.
A witness reportedly told investigators the suspect told him he was about to witness a "suicide by cop" during the time after the attack, but before officers arrived.
No officers or other members of the community were injured, police said in a release Wednesday evening.
The officer who fired his weapon has been placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation by IMPD Internal Affairs and a civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board.
Rick Snyder, Indy FOP president, sent this statement Wednesday evening:
Tonight we give thanks once again for the dedication and selfless service of our Indianapolis Police Officers.
Tragically, an IMPD Officer was forced to defend their life and the lives of others while confronting a Violent Active Attacker.
Time and again, law enforcement officers place themselves in harm’s way to defend and protect residents and visitors of our Capital City.
While we pray for the family of the deceased, we also pray for the victims of this attack and for this Officer who was forced to take action in defense of life.
We must also remember the long term impact on the officer’s family as well.
This is another tragic reminder that police officers face many types of weapons, including edged weapons, which are as deadly as any other instruments used to inflict harm.
Tonight violence was stopped, life was protected, and this officer is going home to their family without physical injury.
For this, we are grateful.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call IMPD Det. Dustin Keedy at 317-327-3475, or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana to submit a tip anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.