In Indianapolis, on May 2, 2024, a 35-year-old man named Lemar Brandon Qualls was fatally shot by two officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The incident unfolded on the city's north side, in the 3900 block of Broadway Street, after police received multiple 911 calls about a man waving a gun, pointing it at people, and threatening to shoot them.
Witnesses at the scene suggested that Qualls appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode before the police
arrived. Just over two weeks prior to this fatal encounter, Qualls had been released from the Marion County Jail following an arrest on domestic violence charges. On the day of the shooting, he had made his way onto the porch of a stranger's home. Doorbell camera footage captured Qualls holding a handgun and having a brief conversation with someone on the porch before officers arrived.
When IMPD officers reached the location, Qualls was still on the porch with the firearm. Officers instructed him to put his hands up. As he raised his right hand, which was still holding the gun, two officers opened fire. The officers were later identified as 6-year veteran Ivan Flick and 9-year veteran Randall Buck. Officer Flick, who was closer to the porch, fired at least 10 shots, while Officer Buck, positioned in the front yard, fired at least one additional shot. The entire shooting lasted only two to three seconds.
Struck in the chest, Qualls could be heard on the recording gasping for air for nearly 20 seconds before he fell silent. Officers waited for additional backup to arrive before administering medical aid. Qualls was then transported to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A Springfield Armory XDS 45ACP handgun was recovered at the scene on the porch steps. No officers or other civilians were injured during the incident.
Both officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in such cases. The shooting is currently under investigation by several bodies, including the IMPD's Critical Incident Response Team, the IMPD's Internal Affairs unit, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, and the Civilian-Majority Use of Force Review Board. It was noted that Officer Flick had not activated his body camera before the shooting occurred, raising questions about adherence to IMPD policy.
