State Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Carmel

At the request of the Carmel Police Department, per their standard protocol, Indiana State Police Detectives are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Carmel that occurred last Thursday evening, Aug. 6.

The following information is based upon preliminary investigation.

Just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, the Hamilton County 911 Dispatch Center received a call about an 18-year-old man who was suicidal. The caller was able to track the location of the man in real time using a cellular phone application and relay that information to dispatchers.

Two Carmel police officers responding to the welfare check of located his vehicle on U.S. 31 southbound, just north of 116th Street. As the officers pulled in behind the man’s truck, which was stopped on the right shoulder, he stepped out of the driver’s side and raised a rifle, pointing it toward the officers. Both officers fired shots.

The man fell to the ground but continued to ignore police instructions. Within seconds of the shooting, as soon as safely possible, both officers rendered emergency medical aid to the suspect until medics arrived on scene. The man was transported to a local hospital by ambulance in critical but stable condition.

Both officers and their vehicles were equipped with cameras, which were activated during the incident.

No officers or uninvolved bystanders were injured in this incident. The southbound lanes of U.S. 31 were closed for more than five hours while detectives and CSI processed the scene.

Assisting with this investigation was the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Westfield Police Department, Fishers Police Department, ATF, Carmel Fire Department, Carmel Police Department, and Hamilton County EMA.

This remains an active an ongoing investigation. All criminal acts mentioned here are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in court.