INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Metro Police Chief Randal Taylor has read the social media comments and has heard the public’s opinion on Wednesday night’s shooting that killed Sean Reed.
In a Thursday morning press conference, Chief Taylor said he is concerned about what others are saying and believing about the shooting, saying they “lack truth” as to what occurred.
IMPD says the officer and suspect, both of whom were black, were the only two people at the scene at the time of the shooting near West 62nd Street and North Michigan Road. Investigators found a gun near Reed. Taylor says the gun was loaded and evidence shows it was fired twice during the incident.
The shooting was streamed live on Reed’s Facebook. After Reed was shot, the video continued, and one officer is heard making inappropriate comments.
“This comment was made by a detective who was not present at the shooting, but responded to the scene following the shooting,” Taylor said. “Let me clear. These comments are unacceptable and unbecoming of our police department. We will be pursuing immediate disciplinary action against that officer.”
Taylor also noted that he knows about the social media rumors circulating on who the officer is, but said he will identify the officer later in the discipline process.
“I can only hope that the community will allow us to do our investigation. It’s still early on,” he said.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.
Less than eight hours later, a burglary suspect was shot and killed by police, also on the city’s northwest side. IMPD says 19-year-old McHale Rose shot a rifle at officers. They shot back, hitting and killing Rose.
“I’m not looking to villainize either of these young men who lost their lives,” Taylor said. “These young men were part of the community. I promise you that we will run a fair investigation.”
