Indianapolis, IN

IMPD reviewing after video shows officer threatening Black teen driver

Published

3 weeks ago

February 7, 2026

IMPD reviewing after video shows officer threatening Black teen driver

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said it’s conducting an internal review after a video showing an officer threatening to kill a 17-year-old Black driver was posted on social media.

Trevion Taylor, 17, was driving away from an anti-ICE protest near Warren Central High School on the east side Feb. 6 when he noticed a police car following him, his mother, Ambar Taylor, told IndyStar in an interview. Trevion graduated early but went to join some friends who were participating, she said.

He was pulled over at a gas station near the intersection of 21st Street and Mitthoeffer Road, less than half a mile from the school.

His phone, placed on the dashboard, captures an officer telling the driver: “We’re gonna get you out here. So when you get out, I’m gonna pull you out, I want you to put your hands on top of the car, OK?”

“Why am I getting out for?” Trevion asks.

“The car smells like weed. Step out of the car,” the officer responds.

As officers on both sides of the car and Trevion’s passengers all speak, Trevion looks back and forth. The driver’s door opens and an officer grabs Trevion’s wrist and pulls him out.

“Yo, what?” Trevion asks.

“I will f—ing kill you. Do you understand me?” the officer says.

Ambar Taylor posted the video on Facebook, accusing Indianapolis police of racial profiling.

“He’s a young Black man. You’ve seen the news 100 times,” she said. “My son will not be a victim.”

IMPD says officer stopped car because of gun

Officers were monitoring the protest — one of many anti-ICE students walkouts held across Indianapolis and the nation — because it received information that students might have guns there, IMPD said in a statement posted late Feb. 6.

They pulled over Trevion’s car after seeing a juvenile get in it with a gun, according to the statement. Specifically, officers stopped the car at 2:28 p.m. Feb. 6 after Trevion failed to signal during a lane change, according to a police report, which said the passengers were two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old.

Under Indiana law, a person under 18 may not carry a loaded firearm outside of certain exceptions including hunting, practicing at a firing range under adult supervision or on a private property with their guardian’s permission. Minors who knowingly possess a loaded firearm for any other purpose can be charged with a misdemeanor.

The officer’s handling of the Feb. 6 situation is under review, according to the IMPD statement.

“While the video does not show the entire incident, some of the language heard does not reflect the standards or values of IMPD,” it says. “Accountability is essential to building trust and legitimacy with our community. The involved officer was equipped with a body-worn camera, which recorded the incident. An internal review is underway to determine the full circumstances of the encounter, including the statements captured on video.”

On Feb. 7, Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, weighed in with a statement that called the video “incomplete” and said the officers’ tactics were reasonable. He noted they made sure the teens’ vehicle was separated from protesters during the traffic stop.

Calling the blunt language a normal reaction to such a situation, he said the organization welcomed a full review that explained how a juvenile came to possess a firearm.

“While it’s jarring to hear without the complete set of facts and context of the interaction (including the threats faced by the officers during the intervention); it becomes more understandable once recognizing the need for immediate compliance along with a direct verbal warning in lieu of use of force,” the statement read.

“Often our officers are placed in impossible situations. One of the ‘standards and values’ of IMPD is preservation of life. That also includes the lives of our officers when faced with armed juveniles in volatile situations.”

One passenger arrested

After Trevion is pulled from the car, he says: “Bro, what the f—? You’re gonna kill me if I …”

“He’s f—ing reaching – reaching for a gun, that’s why,” the officer responds.

The officer tells him not to move his hands.

“Yes, sir. Yes, sir,” Trevion says.

He can be seen through the back driver’s side window being led away in handcuffs. Two other teens exit the back seat with their hands up.

Three of the car’s four occupants return after more than 10 minutes. The one who did not return had a gun and was taken into custody, according to police.

Trevion was not charged or given a ticket. His mother said she is filing a complaint with IMPD over her son’s treatment.

“These are kids, and if you can’t de-escalate a situation with kids without going to those words first, you shouldn’t be a police officer,” Ambar Taylor said.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni contributed to this report.

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Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

Published

5 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

Published

17 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

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