14-hour standoff began when police tried to evict man from southeast-side house, IMPD said
Update: On Aug. 30, 2022 the United States Attorney’s Office of Southern District of Indiana announced Wesley Cartwright was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Original article: A 14-hour standoff between numerous law enforcement agencies and a man who Indianapolis police say barricaded himself in a southeast-side home, fired several shots from inside and threatened to kill officers, ended Thursday with his arrest.
The standoff began about 5 p.m. Wednesday when officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to the home to help deputies remove a man with an eviction and protective order against him who refused to leave.
Police said the man, Wesley Cartwright, was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest. His protection order prohibits him from possessing a gun. The 39-year-old threatened to kill officers, police said, prompting a SWAT team to respond.
Negotiators for several hours asked Cartwright to exit the house in the 3700 block of Valley Lake Drive.
Police said Cartwright fired several shots from inside the home, sometimes aiming at law enforcement drones. The SWAT unit used non-lethal flash bangs during attempts to coax Cartwright outside. No officer fired their gun, officials said.
Just after 14 hours, police entered the home and took Cartwright into custody about 8 a.m. The 39-year-old, who police said was found wearing a T-shirt, was taken to a hospital to be checked for possible hypothermia due to dangerously cold conditions throughout the city.
Cartwright has been preliminarily charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, criminal recklessness, wearing a ballistic vest during the commission of a felony in the standoff. Police said he may be charged with more.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will determine final charges.
Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com or 317-503-7514.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis 14-hour standoff began with eviction attempt, police said
