Off-duty Indianapolis police officer shoots person after gunfire erupts at bar and grill
Update: Indianapolis police on Oct. 20, 2023 identified the officer involved in this shooting as 17-year veteran Roman Ervin-Williams. Earlier in the week police arrested 31-year-old Mar-Kel Sampson in the incident.
An off-duty Indianapolis officer shot a man early Saturday after gunfire rang out at Bubbaz Bar and Grill on the East Side, according to police.
Three people were shot, and two are in critical condition, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police. The police officer was not injured.
The officer was trying to defuse a situation near the entry to the business, 10030 E. Washington St., just before 2 a.m. when gunfire erupted from inside, according to IMPD. The officer shot the gunman, who was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, police said.
The man was identified Sunday as Mar-Kel Sampson, 31. He was initially charged with battery with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and pointing a firearm, a Level 6 felony or Class a misdemeanor depending on if the weapon was loaded, according to a news release.
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office will make the final charging decision. Detectives allege Sampson was shot by the officer after shooting another person.
The gunfire from inside the business hit a man and woman, IMPD said. The man self-transported to the hospital and is in critical condition, and the woman is in stable condition, police said Saturday.
She was discovered at approximately 2:30 a.m. when officers responded to reports of a woman with gunshot wounds in the 2800 block of Carla Court. Officers learned she was wounded at Bubbaz.
Emergency medical services transported her to an area hospital.
Sampson was remained in the hospital as of 4 p.m. Sunday, police said.
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According to IMPD, an officer was equipped with a body-worn camera during the shooting, but it is not clear if it was recording at the time.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene, as well as the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency.
The officer who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in a shooting, according to police. The officer's name has not been released.
IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative investigation into the shooting, and the civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Scott Stauffer at the homicide office at (317) 327-3475 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (317) 262-TIPS.
IndyStar reporter Rachel Fradette contributed to this report.
Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police shooting: Off-duty officer at Bubbaz Bar and Grill
