Noblesville man dies during officer-involved shooting in Beech Grove

Just after 6 a.m. Wednesday, Beech Grove police officers responded to a request for a welfare check at the Willow Glen South Apartment Complex. Information was received by dispatchers about a child custody dispute and threats of violence.

When officers arrived, they encountered a male, Joshua Richard, 26, Noblesville, who was armed with a knife in the parking lot, and who officers believed was the target of their call. As Richard aggressively approached the officers, they attempted several de-escalation techniques, including backing away for a significant distance while attempting communications with Richard.

Richard ignored officers’ requests to drop the knife and stop walking toward them.

Three officers were on scene. During the encounter, the officers were physically engaged by Richard, who used the knife to cut one officer, Lt. Jeff Bruner, in the face. Lt. Bruner then shot Richard.

Officers immediately retrieved emergency life-saving tools from their vehicles, commonly referred to as IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). The officers attempted life-saving aid on Richard until it was determined he was deceased.

Paramedics arrived and confirmed the man was deceased.

Lt. Bruner was rushed to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He is a 19-year veteran officer.

This is still an active investigation and there is no further information to release at this time.