INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Eyewitness News has learned more details about the deadly shooting in downtown Indianapolis during the evening commute Tuesday.
After responding to the shooting, IMPD officers blocked off part of Pennsylvania with their squad cars in front of the federal building. Metro police homicide detectives are not saying much about the shooting, but Eyewitness News talked to a relative who calls this domestic violence.
Marion County Jail records show Phillip Sullivan has been arrested 10 times since 2003, which include domestic battery and invasion of privacy.
Eyewitness News learned that Metro police questioned and released the 25-year-old woman involved in the shooting. IMPD explained Tuesday night that Sullivan and the woman they questioned had some type of ongoing relationship and that the shooting was not a random act of violence.
Sources close to the investigation explained she was reportedly on the phone with dispatchers in the SUV front seat as Sullivan allegedly threatened her life from the backseat. They shared information that Sullivan was not happy that she called quits on their relationship.
The woman left her place of employment Tuesday to drop off some of Sullivan’s belongings, which consist of mainly clothing. He reportedly then asked her for a ride to a downtown location and that is when she claims he became violent.
The two reportedly struggled over her handgun when the gun fired, fatally striking Sullivan. The woman reportedly has a carry permit.
Eyewitness News learned that the woman involved was on a 911 call and that the dispatcher had already instructed her to pull over so officers could locate her SUV, the threats were being heard by the 911 operator.
Domestic violence expert Brittany McCollom can't talk about the Sullivan case, but has seen victims try to get away. McCollom has worked at The Julian Center on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis for more than 10 years. She is now the director of survivors' services, which helps domestic violence survivors from the first call for help to the rescue and independence stage of the domestic violence cycle.
McCollom encourages people to seek help at the first sign of domestic violence before it escalates to injury and, in some cases, even death. The cycle of domestic violence can impact not only the victim, but others around them including family, friends and in some cases coworkers. Domestic violence can be in different forms such as verbal, physical, emotional and something as simple as intimidation.
Either way, no one should stay in an abusive situation.
“When a domestic violence survivor decides to leave, it can be the most dangerous time,” said McCollom.
Statistics about domestic violence include studies showing that every minute, 20 people in U.S. suffer some form of domestic abuse. One in every three female murder victims are killed by their abuser and 70 percent of domestic violence murders happen when someone is ending the abusive relationship.
The woman in Tuesday’s case, who police asked us not to identify for her own safety, reportedly told investigators Sullivan tried to take her handgun and that's when it went off, striking the 37-year-old.
“The Julian Center offers a continued services including emergency shelter," McCollom said.
The Marion County coroner notified Sullivan’s mother about his death and confirmed to Eyewitness News he passed away from a gunshot wound.
IMPD Homicide detectives are still investigating the case and will eventually turn it over to prosecutors for screening. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry will have the final say so about charges, if any, concerning Sullivan’s death.