Postal worker shot in SE side robbery

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Metro police have arrested a man accused of shooting a postal worker in the face during a bank robbery on the city's southeast side Thursday afternoon.

The shooting happened just after three o'clock at the Chase Bank near Southeastern and Franklin.

Metro police said 42-year-old Brook Abebe went into the bank and fired one shot into the air. Several customers were inside at the time but metro police said no customers or employees were hurt.

Customers Gloria and Ed Dodrill were waiting in the drive-through line and thought it was unusual the teller wasn't helping them.

"He was just standing like this and I said, 'Ed something is wrong.' He finally turned around and looked at us and said, 'Robbery, robbery.'"

Police said Abebe got some cash and then ran out of the building. At the same time, a postal worker, 54-year-old Robert Norman, was outside delivering mail on his regular route. Norman confronted Abebe and they started struggling on the sidewalk. That’s when, police said, Abebe shot Norman in the eye.

"And at that point, it’s survival...he’s trying to get the gun away from him," said IMPD Lt. Jeff Duhamell.

Norman was taken to the hospital in serious, but stable condition.

After the shooting, metro police said Abebe ran to his getaway car on Southeastern Avenue. But police said a good Samaritan delayed him by blocking his car in.

An off-duty reserve officer was also nearby. He drove after Abebe down Southeastern until Abebe crashed near Franklin.

Abebe was arrested and taken to the hospital for minor injuries.