IMPD identifies man, 48, fatally shot by police on northeast side

UPDATE: IMPD IDs 3 officers in fatal shooting of crime suspect 2 weeks ago

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Police on Saturday identified the man fatally shot by officers when he pointed a gun at them Friday night.

Monolito Ford, 48, died at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital after three Indianapolis Metropolitan police officers fired shots at him, an incident summary released Saturday said.

Officers were called shortly before 6:35 p.m. Friday on a report of a suicidal man and shots fired into the air in the 3800 block of Red Mill Place. That’s on the northeast side in the Autumn Trails Apartments near North Franklin Road and East 38th Street. Police later said the shooting happened nearby in the 7800 block of Red Mill Drive.

IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey said the three officers tried repeatedly to resolve the situation peacefully, but the man eventually pointed a gun at them. Police recovered Ford’s gun from the scene, sharing a photo of it on Saturday.

Police learned the man had previously expressed suicidal thoughts to his family. IMPD continued to investigate at the scene at 9:45 p.m. Friday.

Talking to news media gathered at the scene, Bailey said, “Obviously, this is a very tragic situation. We are sorry that the officers and the family are in this position and our sympathy goes out to the family of the deceased.”

No officers were injured. The officers, who were wearing working body cameras, have not yet been identified. The officers who fired their weapons are on administrative leave, standard practice in police shootings.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene. IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate investigation.

Summary of incident released by IMPD:

• On May 14, 2021, just after 6:30 p.m., Officers with the IMPD were dispatched to the 3800 block of Red Mill Place (which runs north and south) on an armed suicidal male. Officers were advised that the male had fired shots in a residential area.
• A short time after their arrival, officers located the male in the 3800 block of Red Mill Drive (which runs east and west). The male walked quickly towards officers with a gun in his hand, reducing the area and time the officers had to establish time, distance, and cover principles. The officers ordered the male to drop the gun, but he continued walking quickly toward them, raising his weapon in their direction.
• Three officers fired at the male, later identified as Monolito Ford. Ford was stuck by the bullets and fell to the ground.
• Officers immediately rendered first aid to Ford until Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived on scene. Ford was transported to Eskenazi Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
• Monolito Ford’s gun was recovered at the scene of the incident. (pictured below)
• At least three officers were equipped with body-worn cameras which were activated at the time of the shooting.
• None of the officers involved were injured.
• The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
• The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene.
• A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs.
• The officers that fired their guns have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard practice in an officer involved shooting investigation.
• Detectives are continuing to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information, including any cell phone or other video from before, during, or after this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.

Resources

• NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Be Well Indiana Crisis Helpline: 211
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Indiana’s Next Level Recovery program

• Call 211 for help 24/7 or click here to go to Connect2Help.
• Call the Indiana Addiction Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit here to chat live with a representative.
• Through a partnership between Indiana 211 and OpenBeds, people seeking treatment for substance use disorder can be immediately connected with available inpatient or residential treatment services.
• The Indiana Recovery Network also has extensive available resources.