Indianapolis Police Shooting: Antoine Beech Shot by Officer Ryan Thomas at Speedway Gas Station

Accident – Death – Obituary News : INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made public the bodycam footage on Friday of a police shooting incident that occurred in October at a Speedway gas station on the near southeast side. The footage provides a clearer understanding of the events that unfolded during the incident.

The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as IMPD Patrol Officer Ryan Thomas, a seasoned member of the department with eight years of experience. The incident took place on the morning of October 19, when several IMPD officers, who were concluding an unrelated robbery investigation, were alerted to the presence of a man with an active warrant in a vehicle at the gas station located at 2053 Shelby St.

The man in question has been identified as 38-year-old Antoine Beech. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered Beech seated in the front passenger seat of a white Chevy Impala parked at the gas pumps. It was reported that a firearm was within Beech’s reach. In the bodycam footage, officers can be heard commanding Beech to refrain from reaching for his weapon and to show his hands. Despite their instructions, Beech made a sudden movement towards his gun, prompting Officer Thomas to fire a shot that struck him in the right hand.

Unfortunately, both Officer Thomas’ and another officer’s bodycams failed to activate during the incident. However, the second officer manually activated his bodycam after the shooting occurred. Due to the poor quality of the gas station’s security camera footage, the exact moment when Officer Thomas discharged his weapon was not captured.

The officers immediately provided medical assistance to Beech until emergency services arrived at the scene. In addition to the gunshot wound on his right hand, Beech also sustained a chest laceration. He was transported to Eskenazi Hospital in a stable condition. Beech was subsequently arrested on active warrants for dealing cocaine, resisting law enforcement, and driving while intoxicated. He now faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, with a court date scheduled for February 14.

Fortunately, none of the officers involved in the incident nor any uninvolved individuals sustained any injuries. The shooting is currently under investigation by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, the IMPD Critical Response Team, and the IMPD Internal Affairs division.

The release of the bodycam footage aims to provide transparency and clarity regarding the events surrounding the police shooting incident. By sharing the footage, law enforcement authorities hope to address any concerns or questions that may arise from the community. The investigation will continue to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident, and the appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings..