Indianapolis Police Release Edited Bodycam Footage of Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has recently released edited bodycam footage revealing details of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred during a hostage situation near a McDonald’s on the south side of Indianapolis in November.

Details of the Incident

According to the video, officers responded to a call at 4941 Knights Way, the location of a McDonald’s, around 7:20 p.m. on November 30. Initially, they were dispatched to conduct a welfare check.

Prior reports indicate that officers were called to the area due to reports of a disturbance coming from a parked semi-truck near the fast-food restaurant.

Upon arrival, officers met with a witness who claimed to have heard a woman screaming for help from inside the truck’s sleeping cabin.

Bodycam Footage and Officer Interaction

The edited footage, collected from multiple body-worn cameras, shows a man, later identified as 60-year-old Lamont Bland, exiting and then reentering the truck’s sleeping cabin. Officers repeatedly instructed him to open the door, identifying themselves as the police.

In segments of the footage, Bland can be heard saying, “Stop it. I’ve got a knife to her throat.”

Officers then commanded both Bland and the woman to exit the truck. When they failed to comply, the officers broke the driver’s side window with a baton and opened the door. Despite this, Bland continued to hold a knife against the woman’s neck.

As the officers engaged with Bland, he made threatening statements, stating, “I’m going to kill her right now” and “I ain’t got nothing to lose.”

Fatal Outcome and Investigation

In response to the immediate threat, an officer fired their weapon, striking and ultimately killing Bland. No officers were harmed during the incident. The woman, who suffered multiple lacerations to her hands, neck, ear, chest, and face, received immediate medical attention.

During the investigation, IMPD discovered a bloodied razor blade inside the truck’s sleeping cabin.

Ongoing Actions and Review

The IMPD Critical Incident Response team is currently handling the criminal investigation, while IMPD Internal Affairs conducts a separate administrative investigation. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, following standard procedure.

Furthermore, the Use of Force Review Board, consisting mostly of civilians, will hold a mandatory hearing to review any attempted use of deadly force. This hearing will occur after the conclusion of the criminal process.