Police mistakenly shoot homeowner in stomach; searching for attempted carjacking suspect

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WISH) – The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department say they mistakenly shot a homeowner Tuesday morning while they were looking for an attempted carjacking suspect.

According to police, officers responded to a call of an armed robbery in progress in the 3600 block of Fox Tail Drive around 4:49 a.m. The call was made by the homeowner, 48-year-old Carl Williams. Williams told police that a suspect attempted to assault and rob his wife. He also told dispatch that the suspect stole his wife’s black vehicle.

Police said Williams went outside to investigate, when nine-year veteran East District officer Christopher Mills mistakenly thought he was the suspect and shot him in the stomach.

Williams was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital is in serious condition. However, police said the homeowner is expected to survive.

Police are still searching for the carjacking suspect. The suspect has been described as a black male with a light complexion, wearing a read and white jacket and dark colored baseball cap.

IMPD released two three minute 9-1-1 tapes. On the tape you can hear Williams talking to police. He gives a description of the suspect, in the background you can hear his wife’s crying, and then you hear Williams say, “is that him, is that him,” and the phone went dead.

Williams’ niece told 24-Hour News 8 that she wants answers on what happened to her uncle.

“I want something to be done, I don’t know if they need retraining or if they fear black men,” said Kamaria Howard.

Officer Mills has been placed on administrative leave.  A criminal and a separate independent internal investigation will take place, including a review by the Firearms Review Board and grand jury.