INDIANAPOLIS — A man was shot after a Friday afternoon chase by the Beech Grove Police Department, according to officials with the Indiana State Police.
Officials with Beech Grove police confirmed that a person was shot in the area near Raymond and Emerson on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Officials stressed that no officers were injured.
“There is a lot of police activity and roads are blocked,” a social media post from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department read. “Drivers are asked to avoid the area.”
Sergeant John Perrine, a public information officer with the Indiana State Police, said that around 12:20 p.m., members of the Beech Grove Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle. The driver of the vehicle that was being stopped then led police on a pursuit.
During the pursuit, Perrine said that several Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuvers were used by the Beech Grove Police Department. The chase ultimately ended at approximately 12:24 p.m. via a successful PIT maneuver.
Once the Honda was stopped, officers attempted to position their patrol vehicles in a way that would block any chance at escape the driver might’ve had, per a press release sent by state police at approximately 10 p.m. Friday.
Police reported that, after the Honda was blocked in, officers began exiting their cars to attempt to apprehend the suspect. As officers exited their cars, the Honda began driving forward and backward, striking the squad cars that were blocking it in.
ISP indicated that, soon after the Honda began striking police vehicles, 23-year Beech Grove Police Department veteran Darrin McGuire discharged his service weapon one time.
State police announced that the person shot was 42-year-old Gerald Smith of Indianapolis. As of 10:05 p.m. Friday night, Smith was in stable condition, according to ISP officials.
Officers continued to issue verbal commands to Smith after he was shot. Despite the commands, Smith remained in his vehicle for several more minutes, per state police. Once he complied and exited the Honda, officers rendered emergency medical aid.
Before Smith was transported to the hospital, officials found drug contraband in his possession, according to state police.
Some neighbors living in the area said they witnessed the entire incident.
“I heard cops yelling and then I heard one shot,” said neighbor Brenda Shumaker. “That was it. And then just lots and lots of police coming from everywhere.”
State police’s investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and they consider the information they’ve released thus far to be “preliminary.” Officers responding to the incident were equipped with body cameras. State police noted that detectives will review the footage as part of the investigation.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
