INDIANAPOLIS — An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was injured early Sunday morning while responding to check on a man’s welfare, police said.
Officers were dispatched to the 6500 block of Knobstone Way about 2 a.m. in response to a man experiencing a “mental/emotional crisis” and suicidal thoughts, according to IMPD.
Responding officers contacted family members and were speaking with the man outside the home as a transport ambulance was enroute to take the individual to a hospital for evaluation. Suddenly, the man lunged at the officer. Police said the attack was “unprovoked” as the man grabbed the officer’s firearm, Indy Star reported.
“During the struggle for the gun, it discharged injuring the male suspect’s finger and the officer’s leg,” IMPD said in a press statement.
Once the weapon discharged, the man fled but was corralled by other officers, IMPD said.
Both the man and the officer were taken to a nearby hospital. Neither sustained serious injuries. According to police, the discharged round did not actually penetrate the officer’s skin. He was treated for a superficial wound and released from the hospital, according to Indy Star.
The man remains hospitalized as of Sunday morning, IMPD said. He is facing criminal charges, which include battery on a police officer, criminal recklessness, disarming a law enforcement officer and resisting law enforcement.
