Indianapolis, IN

IMPD reviewing after video shows officer threatening Black teen driver

Published

1 month 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

Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and commemoration event at Indianapolis Airport

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and commemoration event at Indianapolis Airport

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A special ceremony at the Indianapolis International Airport is set to celebrate the lasting legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Black aviators and ground crews that served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

Robin Williams and Katherine Putnam, who is the granddaughter of the airmen featured in the event, joined News 8 on Daybreak to highlight some of the Tuskegee Airmen that are from Indiana.

Airman Gordon Morgan and his wife Alexine Rothschild Morgan met on a Tuskegee Airbase and got married on August 1,1945.

“My grandfather actually came back to the United States after being overseas for about five months, and they got married before he was brought back to Kokomo,” Putman explained. She says that through this discovery, with the help of Williams, she’s been able to explore her family and her roots.

Williams explains that there is a exhibit at the airport that deep dives into the Tuskegee Airmen America’s Freedom Flyers and that it’s been there since November, located in the Civic Plaza.

“We keep uncovering and discovering more stories,” Williams said. “There are many firsts in Indiana, Charles B. Hall from Brazil was the first Black pilot to shoot down the enemy in World War II.”

The commemoration event will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. and will feature performances of jazz from the 1940’s by Decatur Central High School Jazz Orchestra.

Attendees must RSVP here.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis police officer charged with illegal deer harvesting

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer faces criminal charges for allegedly harvesting deer illegally in Steuben County.

In an email to news media on Friday afternoon, IMPD said 10-year officer Aaron Mauk was charged on March 3 with misdemeanor counts of unlawful taking of a deer, and providing false information to a check station.

IMPD says the charges followed an investigation by Indiana conservation officers where Mauk reportedly admitted to harvesting three deer in 2025 without a license. IMPD Chief Tanya Terry on Wednesday placed Mauk on administrative duty and removed his police powers pending a review of the case facts. IMPD’s investigations division and its internal affairs team have each started reviews of the incident.

IMPD detectives determined Mauk was an off-duty officer at the time of the alleged crimes.

The investigation began on Jan. 3 when Indiana conservation officers interviewed Mauk at a home in Fishers. This initial meeting was part of an investigation into his involvement in illegal deer harvesting.

A follow-up interview took place on Jan. 12, when Mauk admitted to harvesting three deer in Steuben County during the 2025 season without the required license.

Following the investigation, the Steuben County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on March 3. Steuben Superior court issued a summons that was mailed to Mauk. His initial hearing was scheduled for March 16, but online records did not show any action following that event.

Steuben County is on Indiana’s northeast corner.

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Indianapolis, IN

Planned Parenthood to merge 3 Indianapolis health centers due to funding cuts

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Planned Parenthood to merge 3 Indianapolis health centers due to funding cuts

The group cites changes in funding, including cuts to programs like Medicaid and rising healthcare costs as reasons behind the merger. - Darron Cummings / AP Photo — The group cites changes in funding, including cuts to programs like Medicaid and rising healthcare costs as reasons behind the merger.
*Darron Cummings / AP Photo*

Planned Parenthood announced via its website it will merge three of its Indianapolis health centers in early April.

Friday, April 3 will be the last day for in-patient services at both the Midtown and Southside Planned Parenthood health centers in Indianapolis.

Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska and Kentucky announced on its website this week the Georgetown Road location will have additional appointment availability and in-patient services.

The group cites changes in funding, including cuts to programs like Medicaid and rising healthcare costs as reasons behind the merger.

In a statement posted to the website the group acknowledged the changing landscape. “We also know that patient needs and priorities are changing, with more people turning to telemedicine for their health care. Because of this, we are making difficult but necessary adjustments to our health center network.”

For a list of resources patients can visit the Planned Parenthood website.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Barbara Anguiano at banguiano@wfyi.org

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