LAWRENCE, Indiana — IMPD is investigating after SWAT officers fatally shot a man while serving a warrant Friday morning in Lawrence.
The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Aug. 23 in the 9000 block of Pendleton Pike, near North Post Road.
An IMPD spokesperson said officers were serving a signed and approved search warrant at a motel for a man who police said was known to be armed and dangerous and in possession of narcotics.
Police said nobody responded when officers using police sirens and a speaker to try to get the suspect to peacefully surrender.
After the suspect did not come out of the motel room, SWAT officers forced their way in and saw a man and woman coming out of the restroom.
According to police, the woman complied with officers' commands. While trying to place the man in handcuffs, police said a struggle ensued, and the suspect allegedly tried to get to a Draco gun — which shoots rifle rounds. That's when two SWAT officers shot the man.
Medics took the man in critical condition to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Monday, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified the man as 40-year-old Kentrail Small.
IMPD confirmed no officers were injured.
IMPD's statement on the incident reads in part:
On Friday, August 23, 2024, at approximately 10:30 a.m., IMPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers were at a motel in the 9000 block of Pendleton Pike collaborating with the East District Detectives. They were there to locate a wanted adult male suspect, who was known to be armed and dangerous and in possession of narcotics. The officers were in possession of a signed and approved search warrant. SWAT officers, who were in full police uniform, made several announcements outside the motel room door. SWAT officers used both a public address system and police sirens in an attempt to get the suspect to peacefully surrender.
Unfortunately, the suspect did not exit the motel room. At that time, SWAT officers made forced entry into the motel room, locating two adult subjects coming out of the restroom. Officers gave several verbal commands for the individuals to get on the ground. The female occupant in the room listened to officer commands and was safely detained for additional questioning.
The second individual in the motel room, an adult male, did not follow the SWAT officers’ commands. While officers were attempting to place the suspect into handcuffs, a struggle ensued within the kitchenette area of the motel room. The suspect forcefully pulled away from officers and, at some point during the struggle, retrieved a Draco firearm, which shoots rifle rounds, and continued to physically resist the officer’s attempts to handcuff the suspect. At some point, an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Following the shooting, SWAT medics, who were staged nearby, rendered medical aid to the suspect.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, the suspect was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
No uninvolved citizens were injured during this incident. Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community. There is no suspect outstanding.
Detectives located two firearms in the motel room (photos of the firearms are attached). The image of the rifle-style firearm has been cropped for sensitivity reasons to avoid showing graphic content.
The officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, which were activated during this incident. IMPD’s Aviation Unit responded to the scene with drone technology to assist with the collection of aerial photos of the crime scene.
IMPD said officers found two guns in the motel room after the shooting.
The officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, which were activated during the incident.
The two SWAT officers who fired their guns were placed on administrative leave, per standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative investigation.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any attempted use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
Anyone with information is asked to call. Detective Sgt. Mark Prater at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
This was the 10th IMPD police shooting in 2024. Eight of them have been deadly.