Indianapolis Police Release Footage of Officer Shooting Suspect Antoine Beech in Parked Car

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Indianapolis police have released edited footage from an October incident in which an officer, whose bodycam was not active, shot a suspect sitting inside a parked car. The incident occurred on October 19 at a Speedway gas station in the 2000 block of Shelby Street on the city’s near south side. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) published a Critical Incident Video on Friday compiling security and body-worn camera footage from the incident.

According to IMPD, officers had just finished an unrelated robbery investigation at the gas station when a person approached them and informed them that a wanted man was inside a car parked at a filling pump. The man, later identified as Antoine Beech, was found to be parked outside in a white Chevrolet Impala. The individual talking to the officers stated that Beech had an active warrant for his arrest.

The edited footage released by IMPD shows three officers approaching Beech’s car from the front and back sides. The video does not include audio, but it eventually shows the moment when Officer Ryan Thomas fires his department-issued firearm at Beech through the car windshield. The footage also confirms that two of the three officers directly involved in the incident did not have their body-worn cameras activated.

The bodycam footage from the one officer whose camera was activated shows him exiting the Speedway after gathering information on Beech and then approaching the parked car from behind. In the footage, both Officer Thomas and other unidentified IMPD officers can be heard yelling commands such as “Get your hands up!” and “Don’t do it” several times. Less than 30 seconds after approaching the car, Officer Thomas fires one shot from his gun.

After the shooting, officers can be seen assisting Beech out of the car. Beech can be heard yelling that he has been shot in his chest. IMPD later confirmed that Beech was shot in his right hand and had a laceration to his chest. However, no bullet fragment or foreign object was found in his chest. Beech was then taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

IMPD released a photo of the gun they claim Beech had, although it cannot be seen in the bodycam footage. After receiving treatment for his gunshot wound, Beech was arrested on warrants for dealing cocaine, resisting law enforcement, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He also received an additional charge of unlawful firearm possession by a serious violent felon.

The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team and the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency conducted the criminal investigation, while IMPD Internal Affairs conducted a separate administrative investigation. Officer Thomas was placed on administrative leave as standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting investigation. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

Antoine Beech’s attorney released a statement expressing doubt about the reasonableness of Officer Thomas’ actions, citing the lack of operational bodycam footage as a concern. Beech’s attorney stated that they are reviewing Mr. Beech’s legal options and are committed to defending his rights in the proceedings.

The shooting of Beech marked at least the 8th IMPD officer-involved shooting between August and October 2023. As of December 1, IMPD has investigated 17 officer-involved shootings this year. No other civilians or IMPD officers were injured in the incident.

To watch IMPD’s full Critical Incident Video, click here..