IMPD identifies officer who shot man after domestic violence call on city's south side

Update: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police on Sept. 26 identified the officer who fired in this shooting as 5-year veteran Officer Bryan Gibson.

A domestic violence call on the south side of Indianapolis ended with an officer fatally shooting a man on Sept. 19.

The shooting happened about 3 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 1800 block of Portage Terrace near Madison Avenue and East Stop 10 Road after police were called about a domestic violence situation.

A woman who called told dispatchers the man was going to "kill them all," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Foley said during a news briefing at the scene.

Officers found the woman reported as in danger near Madison Avenue and East Southport Road and she told police that she received information that her ex-boyfriend was on his way to her house to kill her, a news release states.

She left the home with her children, but her ex-boyfriend followed.

Officers attempted to stop a vehicle near Southport Road and Madison Avenue with the man suspected of making the threats.

After a short pursuit, the man got out of the vehicle holding a handgun and told police, "shoot me" multiple times, Foley said, adding the weapon was captured on body camera footage in the man's hand.

Officers told the man to drop the weapon and lay on the ground. At some point, one officer shot the man and he fell into the passenger seat of the vehicle. A firearm was found on the passenger side of the vehicle. Police did not say if the man pointed the weapon at officers.

The man, later identified as Eric Levon Taylor, 37, died at the hospital.

No officers were hurt.

"This is a very tragic situation, nobody wins in this instance," Foley said. "At the same time, we are thankful the woman ... is safe, we are thankful that her kids are safe."

Family of different man shot by IMPD rally outside prosecutor's office

Hours after the shooting, family members of a different man shot and killed by an IMPD officer rallied outside the Marion County Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday afternoon. Gary Harrell, 49, was shot and killed by an IMPD officer while fleeing a traffic stop with a gun in his hand Aug. 3.

Harrell was shot in the back by Douglas Correll, who has worked for the department for 28 years. An edited video released by police never showed Harrell pointing the firearm at the officer, and the narration never indicated he did.

The shooting of Harrell prompted Indianapolis clergy members to call on Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Randal Taylor to resign over what they call a lack of accountability among officers in the department.

The video of the shooting released by police indicates the investigation could take "a year or longer." The officer was placed on administrative leave, as is standard in shootings involving law enforcement.

After the video's release, Taylor said a "thorough and complete" investigation must be done before the public can come to conclusions on the shooting of Harrell.

"I am asking for the public’s patience and trust as we investigate this thoroughly. My prayers remain with all involved,” Taylor said at that time. 

Harrell's family and others outside the prosecutor's office Tuesday called for Correll to be terminated from the department and charged in Harrell's death.

"I am here to stand with that Black mother and stand against violence in the Black community," said Denell Howard, a pastor at Hovey Street Church of Christ, at the rally.

Since Aug. 1, IMPD officers have shot four people, including Harrell and Eric Levon Taylor. On Aug. 27, officers shot Kendall Darnell Gilbert, 40, after an hours-long standoff during which Gilbert threatened officers with a machete. Gilbert's family told police he has struggled with mental illness, IMPD said. On Sept. 1, Brandon Ramirez, 24, was shot after officers responded to a burglary. Ramirez is accused of stabbing a police dog.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police fatally shoot man after domestic violence call