Murder suspect: 'One thing led to another'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Officer David Moore’s gun was still in its holster when he was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in front of his car, according to the probable cause affidavit released Thursday.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer died from the wounds he suffered after being shot during a traffic stop. Thursday’s probable cause affidavit accuses suspect Thomas Hardy of being the shooter. He was charged with murder on Thursday.

The probable cause affidavit outlines what happened on Sunday, the day Moore was shot, including interviews with witnesses who heard gunshots or interacted with Hardy on that day.

When police took Hardy into custody, they found in his possession some cash and a pipe often used in smoking crack cocaine. He was given the gun police believe was used in the murder by a friend who received two guns while trading a rock of crack cocaine. The friend told police he had no use for the guns, so he gave one to Hardy.

According to court documents , Hardy told a friend he obtained the gun to shoot someone who cheated him out of $100. But while he was driving, he noticed a police officer and turned onto a Temple Avenue before turning into a driveway. Hardy said the officer — Moore — pulled in behind him and turned his lights on. Hardy said to a friend that the officer then exited the patrol car and told him to get out of the vehicle. Hardy also told his friend he knew he’d end up back in prison if Officer Moore found the gun on him, so he put a round in the chamber and took the gun off the safety. He said after that “one thing led to another.”

Witnesses reported hearing shots at about 9 a.m. At about 11:12 a.m. the same day, Hardy called a friend to say he was in big trouble with police and asked the friend to come meet with him before he had to go back to prison.

One neighbor reported hearing four shots, a pause, and then three more shots.

Investigators discovered seven spent shell casings at the scene, which matched the gun in Hardy’s possession. Medical personnel gave police a bullet at the hospital that fell out of Moore’s clothing.