The afternoon of March 29th saw a dramatic carjacking incident unfold in Indianapolis, culminating in a high-speed chase and officer-involved shooting. The suspect, 33-year-old Michael Barnes, now faces multiple charges.
Carjacking Caught on Camera
The chaos began around 4 pm when a frantic 911 call alerted authorities to a carjacking in progress at the intersection of Georgetown Road and 56th Street. The victim, visibly shaken, recounted the terrifying experience to responding officers, describing how the suspect, later identified as Barnes, crashed into her vehicle and then brandished a gun before stealing her car.
Security footage from a nearby business captured the terrifying moment when Barnes, driving a vehicle that had just been involved in a separate hit-and-run, approached the victim’s car, gun in hand. “He crashed into me,” the victim recounted to officers, her voice trembling. “He hit another car and then mine. Then he jumped out and carjacked me!”.
Adding another layer of urgency to the situation, the victim informed police that her child was in the backseat. Thankfully, Barnes allowed her to retrieve her child before speeding away in her dark gray 2014 Chevy Impala.
Security camera footage of the carjacking
High-Speed Pursuit Ensues
Within minutes, Indianapolis Police Department (IPD) officers located the stolen vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, Barnes refused to comply, initiating a dangerous high-speed chase through the city streets, with speeds reaching upwards of 80 miles per hour.
The chase continued onto the interstate, where Barnes eventually came to a stop on an on-ramp. As officers approached the vehicle with caution, the situation escalated dramatically.
Officer-Involved Shooting
Body camera footage worn by two officers on the scene revealed the tense moments leading up to the shooting. As officers approached the stolen vehicle, Barnes can be seen brandishing a handgun, prompting the officers to open fire.
The sound of gunshots startled a nearby passerby who, unbeknownst to them, captured the incident on their dashcam. Their footage clearly shows Barnes drawing his weapon just moments before officers discharged their firearms.
Body camera footage of the officer-involved shooting
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, officers approached Barnes with caution, securing the handgun that lay on the ground beside him. Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Barnes was conscious and responsive. Officers immediately provided medical attention until paramedics arrived on the scene.
Aftermath and Investigation
Barnes was transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover from his injuries. He is currently in police custody and faces numerous charges, including pointing a firearm at a police officer, resisting law enforcement, and carjacking.
The officer-involved shooting is currently under investigation by the IPD Internal Affairs Division, which is standard procedure in such cases.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that our officers face every day,” stated an IPD spokesperson. “We are thankful that no innocent bystanders were injured during this dangerous incident and that our officers are safe.”
This incident is still developing, and we will provide updates as they become available.