IMPD: 2 judges from Clark County shot after fight at downtown bar
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Two people have been injured in a downtown double shooting Wednesday morning, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
The shooting happened near a White Castle parking lot in the 50 block of West South Street just before 3:30 a.m.
IMPD says those two people are judges from Clark County that are visiting for a conference. The Clark County government named the two judges as Brad Jacobs and Drew Adams.
Police say the suspect’s car pulled into the parking lot, people got out and then tried to get inside the building but the doors were locked. Words were exchanged between the suspects and the victims then a physical fight broke out. It ended with both men shot. The suspects ran back into the car and drove off before police arrived. Both judges were rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. They are still in hospital and are stable.
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush issued this statement on the matter:
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush received terrible news this morning that two Indiana judicial officers were victims of a shooting overnight. The Indiana Judicial Branch holds educational conferences throughout the year and judges from across the state are in Indianapolis for one of the continuing education learning sessions that begins today. Chief Justice Rush expressed her deep sadness upon learning of this violence and is meeting with the victims’ families.
Another statement was issued later by Rush for Vicki Carmichael, a judge for the Circuit Court of Clark County in Indiana:
Judge Carmichael has asked me to provide the following information to you.
Clark County Presiding Judge Vicki Carmichael received terrible news early Wednesday morning that Clark County Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs were shot. Judges Carmichael, Adams, Jacobs, and other judges were in Indianapolis for the Spring Judicial College. The Spring Judicial College is one of many continuing education programs hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court for judges. The three-day educational event includes a poverty simulation, commercial driving cases, judicial decision making, criminal instructions, and e-filing. Hundreds of judges from across the state are attending the conference.
Both of the judges who were shot are valued members of the judicial family who are serving their communities. Judge Andrew Adams is the Clark Circuit Court 1 Judge. He was elected and took office on January 1, 2015. He is a graduate of Indiana University-Southeast and IU McKinney School of Law. He is also a United States Marine Corps veteran. Judge Adams hears major felony, estate, guardianship, and civil tort cases. He recently was certified to run a Veteran’s Treatment Court (April 2018 certified), and he also has an Adult Problem-Solving Court (provisional certification Dec 2019). He is married and has three children.
Judge Bradley Jacobs is the Clark Circuit Court 2 Judge. He was elected and took office on January 1, 2015. He graduated from Indiana University-Southeast and University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and he is a United States Marine Corps reserve veteran. Judge Jacobs hears all drug related crime cases. He is involved in the Clark County CARES program and enjoys speaking at schools to encourage students. Judge Jacobs is married with three children.
Clark County courts are closed today (May 1) but will reopen tomorrow (May 2). The Office of Judicial Administration is working with Judge Carmichael to ensure the administration of justice continues in Clark County with senior judges and pro tem judges.
The judges remain hospitalized.
