Fight over dinner leads to shooting at steakhouse; off-duty IMPD officer held suspect at gunpoint

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An argument between two men at a south side steakhouse Friday night led to one man being fatally shot and the other being held at gunpoint by an off-duty police officer, Indianapolis police say.

Randy Godfrey, 34, faces murder charges after he shot Robert “Blaine” Smith, 32, in the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse, 4335 Southport Crossing Dr. That steakhouse sits among several restaurants just southwest the I-65 interchange at Southport Road.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to the steakhouse just before 9 p.m. Friday to investigate a fight that later turned into a “person shot” run.

They arrived and found Smith suffering a gunshot wound, and Godfrey standing nearby with a holstered gun.

An off-duty officer at the scene told detectives they were eating dinner with their girlfriend when they heard yelling and saw Smith and Godfrey physically fighting on the restaurant floor. The officer later noticed Godfrey had a gun on his hip.

The officer ran over and helped two restaurant employees break up the fight. When the two men were separated, Smith walked out to the parking lot. The officer held Godfrey down, identifying themselves as an off-duty officer and asked their girlfriend to call 911.

According to the affidavit, Godfrey said, “‘I don’t give a (expletive) if you’re a police officer,’ then pushed the officer off, saying, ‘I’m going to shoot that (expletives).’”

Godfrey then ran out of the restaurant after Smith, the officer in tow. When the officer made it to the parking lot, they saw Godfrey walk towards a large vehicle, followed by multiple shots being fired.

The officer ran back inside to get their gun, then returned to the parking lot. They found Godfrey standing there with their firearm holstered.

The officer pointed their gun at Godfrey, telling him to lie on the ground.

Godfrey replied, “‘Just shoot me.’”

Police say the officer held Godfrey at gunpoint until first responders arrived and took him into custody.

Smith was found in critical condition with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Godfrey’s fiancée told detectives at the restaurant that she, her sister, Godfrey, Smith, and Godfrey’s two kids were eating when Godfrey and Smith started arguing. Police did not say what the men were arguing about.

During the fight, Smith told Godfrey, “If you have a problem, say something.” Godfrey replied, “Well, let’s go outside.”

A physical fight broke out between the men before the officer got involved and the fight migrated outside. Godfrey’s fiancée saw Smith walk to her car, Godfrey following behind. She told police she then watched Godfrey shoot his gun downward, and Smith fell to the ground.

Godfrey asked, “Did I hit you?” Smith stood back up, then two more shots rang out. Smith fell back down.

Godfrey’s fiancée told police she ran out to Smith to put pressure on his wounds and to start CPR while they waited for medics.

Godfrey was arrested at the Texas Roadhouse and booked into the Marion County jail for a preliminary murder charge.

He was due in court for a hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.