IMPD: Officer-involved shooting sparked by clothes argument
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating after an officer-involved shooting Friday afternoon.
IMPD dispatchers said the shooting occurred just before 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of Brookside Avenue, near the west side of Brookside Park.
One suspect, 30-year-old Mark Buggs was shot in the abdomen and leg and taken into surgery in serious condition, according to IMPD. 25 year-old Monterio Mack was also taken into cudtody. No officers were injured.
An officer responded to a vandalism call and found two people shooting at each other, IMPD Major Richard Riddle said. The officer shouted for the suspects to stop firing, but the gunfire continued. A suspect fell to the ground after the officer fired, but it’s unclear if the person was hit by police or the second suspect, who fled. The second suspect, police confirmed Saturday afternoon, has been taken into custody.
Riddle said the officer, who was alone and has been with the department for a year, “did a good job” and fired “in an effort to save life.” He will be placed on administrative leave, as is protocol.
The gun battle was the conclusion of an all-day disturbance that began over clothing and a brick being thrown through a car window, police said. A shots fired police call around 1 p.m. is believed to be connected.
Per standard procedure, an independent investigation will be conducted since an officer was involved in the shooting.
One neighbor 24-Hour News 8 spoke with said violence is common on that block. She said her daughter was in a nearby car and saw the fight unfold before police arrived.
“Then she said they chest bumped each other, and she said one guy pulled out a gun,” Betty Coleman described. Coleman said she heard around a dozen shots.
Mack faces a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness with a weapon causing serious bodily injury.
Buggs will be arrested on two active warrants for narcotic offenses after he is treated for his injuries.
