Indianapolis police opened fire on a man who allegedly pointed a handgun at officers after calling 911 to report a shooting, authorities stated on Tuesday.**
The individual was taken to the hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds. However, Assistant Chief Michael Wolley of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department noted it remains unclear whether the wounds were self-inflicted or caused by police gunfire.
Officers responded to a 911 call about a shooting on the city's west side around 11:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a man outside a residence holding a handgun, which he directed at them, Wolley explained.
The officers took cover, repeatedly ordering the suspect—over 16 times—to drop the weapon. "Multiple officers reported that the suspect pointed the gun at them multiple times," Wolley said, leading two officers to discharge their weapons.
Upon approaching the suspect, officers observed he had gunshot injuries, though it was uncertain if these were self-inflicted or due to the officers' shots.
None of the officers were injured in the incident.
According to Wolley, the suspect himself placed the 911 call, stating he had been shot and describing the shooter as a white male wearing a white T-shirt. The suspect encountered by officers matched this description.
A note indicating suicidal intent was found in the man's home, and he informed medics on the scene that he had shot himself, Wolley added.
The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty, a standard procedure following police-involved shootings.