IMPD Officers Shoot Man Holding Woman at Knifepoint

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Indianapolis, Indiana — On June 25, 2024, Just after 3 p.m., IMPD Northwest District Officers were dispatched to the 9000 block of Wesleyan road on a report of shots fired. Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported that a man crashed his truck into another car in the parking lot of a business. The callers, who gave varying descriptions of the firearm, said the suspect exited his pickup truck and started shooting. It was later learned that this was a targeted domestic incident. The suspect, 45-year-old Elijah Radford, knew the victim. Witnesses said Radford put the rifle to the woman's head and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. Callers were on the phone when Radford exited the building. Officers were arriving as Radford entered his truck and began to drive away from the scene. Officers immediately entered the building and located two victims: a woman with a gunshot wound and a man with bite wounds and other injuries.

At the same time, other officers focused on the suspect fleeing in the Maroon Dodge Ram pickup truck. A Lawrence police officer and a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy quickly located Radford's vehicle. Radford did not stop for the officers and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued for several miles along interstate 465. Radford drove at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Multiple agencies were involved including IMPD, Indiana State Police, Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence Police Department. Radford exited I-465 at the Allisonville Exit, turned East on E. 82nd street, and then north on Craig Street. With officers in close pursuit, Radford cut across a grassy area into an apartment complex parking lot. Radford crashed his truck into one of the apartment buildings. Radford drove through the grassy area followed by officer Lenane. The vehicle driven by Radford stopped in front of an apartment building, and he forced his way into an apartment. Officer Lenane exited his patrol vehicle and is heard saying "we have to go in there" after Radford forced his way into the apartment.

As officer Lenane neared the door, a Woman is heard screaming inside the apartment. Investigators learned that Radford was familiar with this apartment and knew the victim. Officer Lenane went upstairs where Radford was holding a knife to the Woman's back. Officer lenane said "Drop the Knife", but Radford did not comply. Officer Lenane discharged his service weapon. Lawrence police officer Thorup entered the apartment seconds after officer Lenane. Officer Thorup discharged his service weapon while on the stairs. Radford was pronounced deceased at the scene by Indianapolis emergency medical services. After officers discharged their service weapons, Radford fell to the floor still holding the knife. The victim in the apartment that Radford held at knifepoint was not injured. The woman who was shot and the other man who was injured at the original scene were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. That man suffered abrasions and bites after he struggled with Radford over the firearm. The man was able to gain control of the firearm from Radford, possibly preventing additional injuries or death. That firearm was recovered at the original shooting scene by IMPD officers.