Full Notification

INCIDENT TYPE: -UPDATE #2- Detectives Locate Wanted Man Who Pointed a Handgun at Officers Which Lead to an Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 5460 East 21^st Street

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Det. Chris Craighill; 317-327-3475; [email protected]

INDIANAPOLIS - On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, just after 12:00 p.m., Detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Violent Crime Unit (VCU) were involved in an officer-involved shooting at 5460 East 21^st Street.  The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. (Content was gathered from the Police CAD and the preliminary investigation.)

Detectives with the IMPD VCU located 33-year-old James Williams, whom they were tracking in the 5400 block of East 21^st Street.  Williams was wanted on a felony warrant from the Indiana Department of Corrections for escape and weapons offenses.  Williams was a suspect in a recent homicide investigation and known to be a serious violent felon.  Detectives located Williams inside the Marathon gas station at 5460 East 21^st Street and observed Williams to be armed with a handgun on his person.
 
Detectives waited for him to exit the business before they approached him.  Just after 12:00 pm, detectives, wearing clearly marked police vests with “POLICE” on both the front and the back, engaged Williams after he exited. Williams returned into the business and surveillance video shows detectives followed him into the business.  While one detective was communicating with the suspect, the other detectives told customers inside the business to leave and were able to get them to out safely.  Detectives told Williams to show them his hands.  Williams pulled a gun from his shorts, raised the gun, and pointed it at the detectives. Two detectives fired their service weapons, striking Williams. Responding officers were accompanied by a SWAT medic, who provided aid until an ambulance arrived.

Medics responded to the scene and pronounced the suspect deceased. There were no detectives or civilians injured during the incident.

The handgun the suspect had in his possession was located at the scene and recovered (Photo #1).

The two officers who fired shots were not equipped with body-worn cameras.  The body-worn camera program started in 2020 with the primary goal of getting cameras issued to all patrol officers on the street.  As the program has continued to expand, the department continues to assign additional cameras to various units.  IMPD is continuing to explore funding opportunities for additional cameras and in-car cameras.  Surveillance video was recovered from inside the business where the incident occurred.

The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is assisting with this investigation.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and is being consulted throughout the investigation.
The IMPD Chaplain’s Office and Victim’s Assistance responded to provide assistance to people involved in this incident.
 
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD’s Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their service weapons have been placed on administrative leave as is standard practice in an officer-involved shooting investigation. 

The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory review of this incident as it does for any use of deadly force against a person. 
 
The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) responded, assisted in the investigation, positively identified Williams, and made notification to the next-of-kin.
Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Chris Craighill at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.

IMPD appreciates the cooperation from members of the community before, during and after the incident as well as the assistance provided by members of other law enforcement agencies.
 

UPDATE #1: IMPD remains committed to being as transparent and forthcoming with information as possible.

We understand how members of the community may feel the photo sent out yesterday could come off as insensitive. IMPD chose that specific photo because it was the least graphic photo depicting the suspect’s firearm.

IMPD felt it was important for the community to see the suspect’s firearm in its unaltered state due to the severity of the incident.
More information about the officer-involved shooting will be released today. INCIDENT TYPE: Detectives Locate Wanted Man Who Pointed a Handgun at Officers Which Lead to an Officer-Involved Shooting

INCIDENT LOCATION: 5460 East 21st Street

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Det. Craighill 317-327-3475; [email protected]

INDIANAPOLIS - On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, just after 12:00 p.m., Detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Violent Crime Unit (VCU) were involved in an officer-involved shooting at 5460 East 21st Street. The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. (Content was gathered from the Police CAD and the preliminary investigation.)

Detectives with the IMPD VCU located a 33-year-old male whom they were tracking in the 5400 block of East 21st Street. The suspect was wanted on a felony warrant from the Indiana Department of Corrections for escape and weapons offenses. The male was a suspect in a recent homicide investigation and known to be a serious violent felon.

Detectives located him inside the Marathon gas station at 5460 East 21st Street and observed the suspect to be armed with a handgun on his person. Detectives waited for him to exit the business before they approached him. Just after 12:00 p.m., detectives, wearing clearly marked police vests with “POLICE” on both the front and the back, engaged the suspect after he exited. The suspect returned into the business and surveillance video shows detectives followed him into the business. Video then shows detectives speaking to the suspect. The male then raised the gun, pointing it at the detectives. Two detectives fired their service weapons, striking the suspect.

Medics responded to the scene and pronounced the suspect deceased. There were no detectives or civilians injured during the incident.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the name of the decedent once proper next-of-kin notification has been made.

The handgun the suspect had in his possession was located at the scene (Photo #1).

The two officers who fired shots were not equipped with body worn cameras. The body-worn camera program started in 2020 with the primary goal of getting cameras issued to all patrol officers on the street. As the program has continued to expand, the department continues to assign additional cameras to various units. IMPD is continuing to explore funding opportunities for additional cameras and in-car cameras. Video was recovered from inside the business where the incident occurred.

The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is assisting with this investigation.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and is being consulted throughout the investigation.

The IMPD Chaplain’s Office and Victim’s Assistance responded to provide assistance to people involved in this incident.

The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD’s Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their service weapons have been placed on administrative leave as is standard practice in an officer-involved shooting investigation.

The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory review of this incident as it does for any use of deadly force against a person.

Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Chris Craighill at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.

IMPD appreciates the cooperation from members of the community before, during and after the incident as well as the assistance provided by members of other law enforcement agencies.