Man Shot and Killed by Police During SWAT Raid at Motel

Source: WISH-TV

LAWRENCE, IND — Police in Indianapolis shared more details about a man who was shot and killed by officers during a SWAT raid at a motel in Lawrence on Friday.

Indianapolis police say they were serving a warrant at the Park Terrace Motel as part of a drug investigation. When officers entered the man’s room and tried to handcuff him, a struggle started, and the man reached for a Draco gun.

“The area where they were operating was very small,” says IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. “The motel room that you see behind me is very small. We are grateful that there wasn’t an ability to get a hold of that trigger.”

Police say they used sirens and a loudspeaker to alert the man they were outside before entering the room. Once inside, officers found a man and a woman coming out of the bathroom. The woman followed the police orders, but the man did not.

“While officers were attempting to place the suspect in handcuffs, a struggle ensued within the kitchenette of the motel room,” says IMPD Assistant Chief Michael Wolley.

Bailey says he hopes people would follow police orders when officers are doing their job.

“They (officers) were there serving a valid and signed search warrant,” he says. “There were multiple opportunities to comply with officer commands.”

Bailey added that the man was already known to police and that the incident was recorded on body cameras.