INDIANAPOLIS — Court documents have shed new light on the moments that led up to an officer-involved shooting on the west side of Indianapolis in mid-December.
The incident began on Dec. 12 around 3:30 p.m. when officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 5700 block of West Wilkins Street in response to reports that shots had been fired in the area near Cloverleaf Apartments.
Previous reports indicate that officers arrived on the scene and soon crossed paths with the suspect, who court documents identified as Christopher Miethe. Officers gave loud verbal commands for Miethe to drop his weapon.
IMPD said at the time that Miethe had allegedly ignored these instructions and ran from officers for several blocks until he ended up at the 1000 block of S. Waldemere Avenue. Several officers followed him on foot. Once officers arrived at that location, Miethe allegedly opened fire at officers operating a fully marked squad car, with one of these shots striking the front bumper of the vehicle.
An officer who had been chasing behind Miethe then returned fire, striking Miethe with a graze wound to the neck.
New court documents obtained by FOX59/CBS4 have revealed new information about the circumstances preceding this officer-involved shooting.
According to court documents, Miethe’s sister had called 911 after Miethe allegedly pointed a gun at her and other family members during a dispute. During an interview with police, witnesses told detectives that Miethe had a history of “mental issues” and that he had recently been kicked out of his mother’s home after he put several holes in the ceiling.
This was reportedly due to Miethe believing that people were inside the ceiling, according to court documents.
The sister went on to tell detectives that Miethe “would often talk about being a police officer, the FBI being after him, and other nonsensical ideations.”
Court documents show that another family member reportedly told investigators that Miethe was homeless and would often come to their apartment to “warm up and eat.”
The witness stated that Miethe arrived sometime in the morning and began to get irritated in the afternoon.
The witness said they asked Miethe to leave and to “take a walk to cool off.” It was at that moment that Miethe allegedly pulled out a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at his sister as her 4-year-old daughter was standing behind her.
She said she asked him to leave again and he responded by saying,” I’m not f***ing leaving.”
Miethe eventually exited the apartment and that was when the witness recalled hearing one gunshot ring out.
After Miethe left, the witness told detectives that he had allegedly taken his sister’s gun. The sister had looked in her lockbox and observed that the gun was missing, court documents said.
Miethe’s sister went on to tell police that she believed Miethe had taken the key from her purse during the day when she was not aware.
Court documents show that officers recovered a black Smith and Wesson 9 mm Shield handgun from the scene and a spent cartridge.
According to online court records, Miethe was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail where he faces the following preliminary charges:
- Intimidation (level 5 felony)
- Battery by means of a deadly weapon (level 5 felony)
- Criminal recklessness-shooting a firearm into a building (level 5 felony)
- Theft-use when property stolen is a firearm (level 5 felony)
Miethe is set to appear in an initial hearing on Dec. 27 at 9 a.m. in Marion Superior Court 28.
