Man Shot Dead by Indianapolis Police in Reported Hostage Situation at McDonald’s

December 1, 2023

Indianapolis, Indiana – A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening when a man was shot and killed by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police during a reported hostage situation near a McDonald’s on the city’s south side. The incident took place at 4941 Knights Way, the address of the fast-food restaurant, after officers responded to a welfare check.

The victim, identified as 60-year-old Lamont Bland, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Marion County Coroner’s Office.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), officers received a call around 7:20 p.m. about a possible disturbance in the sleeping cabin of a semi-truck parked near the McDonald’s. Assistant Chief Chris Bailey stated that upon arrival, the officers spoke with a witness who reported hearing a woman screaming and calling for help from inside the truck.

As the officers approached the scene, they recognized signs of a potential hostage situation. The sound of a woman’s cries for help from inside the parked semi-truck confirmed their suspicions.

The situation escalated when Lamont Bland, the suspect, emerged from the curtains separating the truck’s driving and sleeping compartments. He briefly sat in the driver’s seat before retreating back to the cabin. Officers then heard the distressed woman scream from the back of the truck, pleading for assistance and claiming that Bland was harming her.

The officers immediately ordered everyone to exit the parked semi-truck. When Bland refused to cooperate, the police broke the driver’s side window and forced entry into the vehicle. They attempted to communicate with Bland, who was still inside the back cabin with the female hostage.

During the exchange, Bland revealed that he was armed with a knife and had it pressed against the woman’s neck. Despite attempts to negotiate, Bland remained on top of the victim. The woman was found bleeding from her head, indicating signs of physical assault.

In response to the imminent threat to the hostage’s life, an officer discharged their weapon, fatally shooting Bland. The woman received immediate medical attention for her injuries and was later brought to the homicide office to provide a statement.

The incident is currently under investigation, with detectives interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the scene. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department stated that no other suspects are being sought, and there are no active threats in the surrounding area.

This marks the 17th officer-involved shooting for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 2023 and the 10th incident resulting in a fatality. The officers present at the scene were wearing body-worn cameras, which were activated during the incident. Internal Affairs has initiated a separate investigation into the police shooting, and the officer who discharged their weapon has been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure in such cases.

Once the criminal process concludes, a mandatory hearing will be held by the civilian majority Use of Force Review Board. The board will review the incident and assess the actions taken by the officers involved.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS