Full Notification

INCIDENT TYPE: **UPDATE #2** Domestic Disturbance Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 21 S. Colorado Avenue

INDIANAPOLIS - Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on May 31, 2021 at 21 S. Colorado Avenue, IMPD Chief Randal Taylor identified the officers involved as 2-year veteran William Fulton and 2-year veteran Theodore Howlett.
 
IMPD will continue to be fair and transparent with our community, while protecting the integrity 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 Marion County Forensic Services Agency to ensure a fair and thorough investigation is completed.
 
A separate internal investigation is being conducted by IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit to ensure compliance with departmental policy, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.  
Last year, Chief Randal Taylor announced the creation of a new civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board, which will have the authority to review uses of force by an IMPD officer, whether a physical altercation, deployment of a taser, or use of a firearm. The Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any use of deadly force against a person.  Consistent with the Merit Law, the Use of Force Review Board will make an advisory finding related to this incident which will be limited to determining whether the officer’s actions were within departmental policy. 
 
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INCIDENT TYPE: **UPDATE #1** Domestic Disturbance Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 21 S. Colorado Avenue
 
INDIANAPOLIS - On Monday, May 31, 2021, at approximately 4:54 am, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Southeast District responded to a report of a domestic disturbance with a knife involving a male and female. This incident subsequently led to an officer-involved shooting. The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. (Content was gathered from the police CAD and the preliminary investigation)
 

• At approximately 4:54 am, IMPD Southeast District officers responded to 21 S. Colorado Avenue on a report of an active domestic disturbance with a knife involving a male and female.  
• At approximately 4:56 am, 911 operators continued an open line with the caller, and dispatchers updated officers that they could hear a female screaming on the line. Dispatch could also hear a female pleading for the male to stop and heard a male say he was going to kill the female. This information was shared with arriving officers.
• Officers arrived at the residence at approximately 4:58 am and made contact with the residents at the front door. Officers on scene indicated they heard a female screaming inside of the residence. Officers made announcements  identifying themselves as police officers and ordered  all persons inside the house to exit.
• Shortly thereafter, officers entered the residence. As officers were inside the hallway an adult male, later identified as 35-year-old Curtis Walker, emerged from a room and charged towards one officer with a knife in his hand. (Hallway Photo #1) (Knife Photo #2)
• At approximately 5:02 am, officers on scene broadcasted on the radio that an officer involved shooting occurred.  Walker sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of the run IEMS & IFD were already on the scene and provided medical attention immediately. Walker was transported to Eskenazi Hospital listed in critical condition. Officers did recover a knife in Walker’s possession.   
• It is believed two officers fired shots at the suspect.  
• During the incident, an officer sustained injuries related to a bullet strike to his ballistic vest as a result of crossfire from another IMPD officer. The officer who was struck was transported to a local hospital and has been released. Walker was placed under arrest for attempted murder (2 counts), domestic battery w/a deadly weapon, and battery w/ a deadly weapon.  Walker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.  The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision.
• Multiple officers had body-worn cameras which were activated at the time of the incident.  
• There were multiple people inside the house at the time of the incident aside from Walker and the officers.  No other people were injured during the incident.
• IMPD’s Victim’s Assistance Unit & Chaplain’s Office responded to the scene to provide resources for victims and their families.
• 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 Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their guns have been placed on administrative leave as is standard practice in an officer involved shooting investigation. 
 
The Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any use of deadly force against a person.  Consistent with the Merit Law, the Use of Force Review Board will make an advisory finding related to this incident which will be limited to determining whether the officer’s actions were within departmental policy.

Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
 
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INCIDENT TYPE:  Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 21 S. Colorado Avenue

On Monday, May 31, 2021, shortly before 5:00 am, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the first block of S. Colorado Avenue. The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. (Content was gathered from the police CAD and the preliminary investigation)

Shortly before 5:00 am, IMPD Southeast District officers responded to a disturbance with a knife at 21 S. Colorado Avenue.  Dispatch remained on the phone with the caller as officers arrived.  Dispatch shared with officers numerous updates including, a male saying he was going to kill the female.  Officers made announcements identifying themselves as police officers and for all persons inside to exit the house.  Officers entered the residence. 

An adult male emerged from a room and charged towards the officer with a knife, in his hand, in a rapid and aggressive manner.  Two officers discharged their service weapons and the alleged suspect was shot.

Indianapolis Fire Department was staged at the scene due to the initial nature of the run.  Medics entered the house and administered medical treatment to the suspect quickly.  He was transported to Eskenazi hospital and is listed in critical condition.  A knife was recovered at the scene in the male suspect’s possession.

During the incident, an officer sustained injuries related to a bullet strike to his ballistic vest as a result of crossfire from another IMPD officer.  The officer was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.  The officer is in good condition.

Multiple officers had body-worn cameras which were activated at the time of the incident. 

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.

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their guns have been placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in an officer involved shooting investigation. 

Victim’s Assistance and the Chaplain’s Office is on scene to support all involved in this incident.

The Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any use of deadly force against a person.  Consistent with the Merit Law, the Use of Force Review Board will make an advisory finding related to this incident which will be limited to determining whether the officer’s actions were within departmental policy.

Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.