UPDATE #2 (March 29, 2024)
Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in the 9400 block of E. Washington Street, IMPD Chief Christopher Bailey announces the officers involved as 3-year veteran Officer Arturo Barron and 6-year veteran Officer Joel Cain.
IMPD will continue to be fair and transparent with our community while protecting the fintegrity of criminal investigations and officer safety. IMPD formalized a policy in 2020 which outlines when and how officers involved in critical incidents should be identified to the public. This policy solidifies IMPD’s practice of conducting a threat assessment by the IMPD Intelligence Unit following a critical incident and prior to releasing the names of the officers involved to protect the officer and their families. This policy ensures information is provided to the public as soon as possible.
This incident is being investigated by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Detectives are working with the Marion County Prosecutors Office and the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency to complete a fair and thorough investigation.
IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit is conducting a separate internal investigation to ensure compliance with departmental policy, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.
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. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
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UPDATE #1 (March 24, 2024)
The information provided remains preliminary and subject to change.
After further investigation, detectives discovered that officers witnessed a disturbance in the parking lot involving a man firing shots at another individual. One officer observed the suspect actively firing a gun, prompting him to exit his police vehicle and discharge his service weapon at the suspect. During this confrontation, the officer was shot. A second officer also witnessed the suspect shooting and subsequently fired his service weapon at the suspect. Detectives have concluded that the deceased individual was shot by the officers and was the same person who was firing at another individual.
All of the individuals who received non-fatal injuries were listed in stable condition.
The officer who was shot was released from the hospital earlier this evening.
The investigation remains active as detectives seek to speak with additional witnesses and identify additional evidence, including video surveillance, which may be available.
The names of the officers involved will be released after five days and following a threat assessment.
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*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected]*
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
On Sunday, March 24, 2024, at approximately 1:30 AM, two IMPD officers in full police uniform were working off-duty employment at the bar located at 9439 E Washington St when there was a disturbance in the parking lot.
At some point there was an exchange of gunfire between the two officers and at least one suspect resulting in one officer being shot. Fellow officers provided the officer with medical treatment and an IMPD officer transported the officer to an area hospital in stable condition.
Officers responded to the scene and located a total of four civilians with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. IMPD officers provided the victims with medical treatment. The civilians were all transported to area hospitals in what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. The age and genders of the non-fatal shooting civilian victims are as follows:
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42 male
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45 male
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33 female
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45 male
Detectives are working to determine how all of the individuals sustained their injuries. One firearm was located on the scene.
A short time later, an adult male arrived at Community East Hospital with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound(s). Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the male did not survive his injuries. Detectives believe these incidents are connected. The Marion County Coroner’s Office is assisting with the investigation and will release the name of the deceased after next-of-kin notification has been made.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Multiple officers had body cameras which were activated during the incident.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence.
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 officers who fired their firearms have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting 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.
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers. The IMPD Chaplain’s Office and Victims Assistance Unit responded to assist those involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Michael Duke at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475. Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
Case Number – IP240026873
