Indiana authorities are racing to find the gunman who opened fire on a state court judge and his wife inside their Lafayette home late Sunday night.
Judge Steven Meyer of Tippecanoe Superior Court and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were both hit during the attack. Investigators say the judge was shot in the arm. His wife suffered a hip wound. Both survived and remain in stable condition.
Police say the shooting happened fast. Officers arrived after a frantic 911 call reported gunfire inside the couple’s house, about an hour northwest of Indianapolis. What they found was a crime scene that stunned even seasoned investigators.
“This was a senseless, unacceptable act of violence,” one Lafayette police official said. “Someone targeted a sitting judge and his family. We intend to find out who and why.”
Detectives have not announced a suspect. They have not released a motive. Officials admit they are still trying to piece together what led to the late-night attack.
The shooting sent shockwaves through Indiana’s legal community. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush issued an urgent message to judges statewide, warning them to stay alert.
“Any violence against judges or their families is completely unacceptable,” Rush said. “We cannot take threats lightly.”
Meyer is well known in Tippecanoe County. Before joining the bench, he served as a Democratic city council member. His courtroom has handled several high-profile cases, including a widely publicized dispute involving Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born orphan whose adoptive parents abandoned her and later accused her of being an adult posing as a child.
A former colleague, speaking on background, said Meyer is “fair, measured, and deeply committed to public service.” The colleague added, “Whoever did this knew exactly who they were going after.”
Neighbors told reporters they were stunned. One resident said she woke to sirens and flashing lights. “You don’t expect something like this in our neighborhood. It feels targeted. It feels personal,” she said.
Investigators have not confirmed whether the judge’s work played a role. But officials acknowledge they are exploring that possibility closely.
For now, the city is on edge as officers continue the manhunt.
“Someone out there shot a judge in his own home,” a police spokesperson said. “We need the public’s help. If you know something, come forward.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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