INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer who was hit by a vehicle during a Thursday afternoon wellness check is recuperating at home, Chief Chris Bailey says.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was injured when a male suspect reversed his vehicle and pinned the officer to the wall of a pharmacy at 16th and Meridian streets while trying to flee a welfare check.

“We are incredibly thankful to share that the officer injured last night did not sustain any broken bones or other significant injuries. I am pleased to announce that he was released from the hospital last evening and is now home recovering,” Chief Bailey said in a statement Friday.

“Thankful that our officer did not sustain significant injuries while responding to check on the welfare of one of our neighbors. This community is grateful for his service and the selfless work of all the men and women who wear the badge every day,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said on X.

While the officer was pinned to the wall, a second IMPD officer shot at the suspect, striking him at least once.

Police have not provided an update on the suspect, who officers said was stable when transported to a local hospital.

Original reporting from Nov. 14, 2024

Just after 4:15 p.m. Thursday, IMPD North District officers were called to a business in the 1500 block of North Meridian Street to check the welfare of a person. Officers learned the person was unresponsive inside a parked car near the front of the business’s drive thru. Officers learned that, prior to their arrival, employees were unsuccessful in getting the driver to respond.

Officers approached the vehicle, knocked on the window several times, shined a flashlight at the driver, and activated their sirens and lights in an attempt to make contact with the driver.

After four minutes, the adult male driver opened his window and made contact with one of the officers through a rolled-down front passenger window. The officer asked the driver to unlock the vehicle and put the car in park. The suspect unlocked the passenger door and the officer opened it.

Through an open passenger door, the officer asked the driver, “Are you okay?” He then asked the driver to get out of the vehicle and told the driver they were concerned about his welfare.

The suspect then got out of the vehicle. The second officer, who was near the driver side door, told the suspect he was trying to make contact with him for several minutes. He also asked the suspect to come toward the back of the vehicle to make sure he was okay.

The suspect did not listen to the officers, and then got back into his car while the driver door was still open. The officer near the driver side door of the car then grabbed the suspect’s arm and told him to get out of the car.

The suspect reversed the vehicle, pinning the officer between the vehicle and the wall, striking the officer with the driver side door. That is when the officer on the passenger side then discharged his firearm, striking the suspect at least once.

The officers continued to give loud verbal commands for the suspect to show his hands, get out of the vehicle, and get on the ground. The officer then told the suspect to move towards the front of the vehicle, telling him, “Move this way now.”

The suspect then exited the vehicle and laid on the ground. Officers approached and handcuffed him. An IMPD officer then applied a tourniquet to the suspect’s arm.

While the initial officer was giving loud verbal commands, an IEMS medic went to the officer laying on the ground and dragged the officer away from the suspect’s vehicle. The injured officer was provided aid from staged medics.

The officer who was struck by the vehicle was taken to a local hospital in good condition. The suspect driver was also taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

No uninvolved citizens or uninvolved officers were injured in the incident.

Investigators said there is no ongoing threat to the community and there are no additional suspects involved.

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officer who fired his gun was placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in a police shooting investigation.