IMPD officers shoot, kill armed man after neighbors say he pointed a gun at them

On May 2, 2024, just after 2:00 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) received a 911 call regarding a man waving a gun and threatening to shoot people near a housing complex in the 600 block of East 38th Street. Security camera video captured the man, later identified as 35-year-old Lemar Qualls walking around the perimeter of the housing complex. Responding IMPD officers received an update from dispatch regarding an additional 911 caller in the 3900 block of Broadway Street. The caller said a man matching Qualls' description was on her front porch waving a gun and making threats. Officers buck and flick arrived at the 911 caller's home to find Qualls on the porch. Officer flick was the first to approach and can be heard telling Qualls to put his "Hands Up".

When officer Flick stepped onto the porch, Qualls was sitting in a chair and holding a gun in his right hand. Qualls raised the gun and pointed it at officer Flick. Officer Flick discharged his service weapon followed by officer Buck. The Firearm slid across the patio floor. Officers waited for additional assistance before approaching Qualls. As officer #3 approached the home, Qualls' firearm was visible on the patio stairs. The preliminary investigation indicates damage to the magazine was caused by a round from one of the officers. The impact caused Qualls to lose possession of the firearm which then landed on the stairs. Officers secured Qualls and began medical aid until the arrival of Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services. Qualls was transported to Methodist Hospital where he later died. No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured in this incident.