Indianapolis, IN

Wrongful death lawsuit filed by estate of man shot and killed by IMPD officer

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

Wrongful death lawsuit filed by estate of man shot and killed by IMPD officer

One year after Darcel Edwards was shot by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer and later died, Edwards’ estate filed a lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and the officer who shot him.

The lawsuit, which was filed by Roselyn Edwards Rodger, Edwards’ mother, alleges IMPD officer Gunnar Gossett lacked a reasonable probable cause before shooting Edwards on Oct. 24, 2023.

It also alleges that Indianapolis failed to provide Gossett with adequate training that would have prevented him from shooting Edwards and alleges the city tampered with physical evidence that would have been relevant to the investigation of the shooting.

The estate is demanding its case be heard by a jury.

What led up to Darcel Edwards’ death in Indianapolis

On Oct. 24, 2023, IMPD officers heard shots fired in the area of East 25th Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Boulevard, near Douglass Park, and noticed a vehicle speeding away about 4:15 a.m., IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said.

An officer then made a traffic stop on the vehicle, at which point Edwards got out of his car and explained to the officer that his vehicle had been hit by another car, according to court documents.

Edwards then got back into his vehicle and fled. The IMPD officer began to follow Edwards before losing track of him, according to court documents.

More: ‘We are concerned’: Indianapolis police involved in 9th shooting since Aug. 1

IMPD officers shortly located Edwards’ vehicle, which had crashed into a tree near East 25th Street and Columbia Avenue and watched Edwards climb into a tree in a nearby backyard.

While in the tree, Edwards told the officers that he was experiencing an epilepsy episode and asked them to call his mother and doctor. Officers told him that he would receive care from medics if he came down from the tree, but he refused until the medics arrived, according to body camera footage released by IMPD.

During this interaction, officers told him to stop reaching into his pockets and to show them his hands. Gossett threatened to shoot Edwards if he failed to comply.

“If you do it again, you will be shot,” an officer is heard saying in portions of body camera footage.

Edwards is heard three times telling officers to shoot him.

“Kill me,” he said.

“No,” the officers replied.

“I’m going to my pocket then, kill me,” Edwards said. Officer Gossett then discharged his firearm, shooting him.

Edwards was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition. He died two days later. No officers were injured.

After an investigation of the area, police were not able to locate a weapon, according to court documents.

Edwards’ estate claims excessive force, wrongful death

The lawsuit alleges that Gossett lacked probable cause to believe that Edwards was an immediate threat to him and his fellow officers, and for shooting a person who was unrelated to any ongoing crimes.

It also claims that Gossett conducted an unreasonable seizure and used excessive force, which violated Edwards’ 4th and 14th Amendment rights.

Although IMPD conducted an investigation into the shooting and concluded that Gossett was “acting under the color of the law and within the course of their employment,” Edwards’ estate believes his death was not justified and is suing Gossett individually.

The lawsuit also alleges that IMPD failed to provide proper training, supervision and monitoring of Gossett’s actions as an officer.

It also alleges that the city tampered with evidence that would have been relevant to the case, as the city had the tree where Edwards was shot by police removed within 24 hours after the shooting, according to the lawsuit.

The estate is hoping to have Gossett stand trial for the death of Edwards and the city to award the estate with compensatory damages and punitive damages for Edwards’ death.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla. Jake Allen contributed to this reporting, contact him at jake.allen@indystar.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — 45 employees and guests were forced to evacuate Sullivan’s Steakhouse on East 86th Street late Saturday night, which is right next to The Fashion Mall at Keystone.

According to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department, just after 10 p.m., a fire broke out inside the kitchen exhaust hood system and spread to the roof.

(Photo Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department via X)

Multiple 911 callers reported flames on the roof and the fire was marked as working while IFD crews were en route.

Firefighters say the aggressive fire was under control in 26 minutes.

Thankfully, no was one injured.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man is dead, and a suspect has been detained following a shooting on Indy’s far east side.

The shooting took place around midnight Sunday near the intersection of East 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the scene and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Medics rushed him to a hospital, where he later died.

Investigators say they believe it started as an altercation in the parking lot of a business before the shooting happened.

The suspect stayed on the scene and was later detained. IMPD says they located a gun in the suspect’s car.

IMPD Capt. John Arvin told media at the scene, “It’s Mother’s Day. Here’s the tragedy. A mother is going to get a knock on the door this morning that her son is dead. For the rest of her life, every Mother’s Day, she’s going to remember that’s the day my son died.

“That just makes this a senseless tragedy. We have no idea what the fight was over, what led to the shooting, but whatever it was, does it lead to someone’s mother knowing for the rest of her life my son died on mothers day. That’s just tragedy.”

Police say many of the surrounding businesses have security cameras, and they will contact them today to review the footage as part of the investigation.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Race Results: May 9, 2026 (INDYCAR) – Racing News

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

IndyCar race results from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

IndyCar Series drivers are on the grid in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is set to host a day of open wheel racing.

View Indianapolis race results for the IndyCar Series below.

Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward set the front row. 85 laps laps of stock car racing are up next…

Race Report

Green flag, Alex Palou is clear out of turn one. Pato O’Ward is turned! Scott Dixon and others are collected. The caution is out.

Penalty: Felix Rosenqvist will serve a drive thru penalty for contact in turn one.

Green, Palou leads Malukas and Kirkwood into turn one.

Lap 7, Kirkwood dives inside of Malukas into turn one. Kirkwood takes 2nd away.

Lap 21, Alexander Rossi is stalled and the caution is out. Multiple pit strategies are now in play.

Palou heads for the pit lane. Power is handed the lead as Palou restarts 19th.

Green, Power leads Malukas and Lundgaard. Felix Rosenqvist jumps over the top of Kyffin Simpson, caution.

Power pits from the lead with others. Malukas is handed the lead.

Green, Malukas leads Lunagaard into turn one.

Lap 48, Malukas and others head for the pit lane. Lundgaard pits the following lap. Malukas cycles out ahead. Malukas is saving fuel.

Lap 52, Power leads Malukas by 8 seconds.

Lap 63, Alex Palou pits for the final time from 5th.

20 to go, Lundgaard and many of the leaders dive for the pit lane. A lap later, Malukas heads for the pit lane.

Malukas cycles out ahead of Lundgaard. Lundgaard trails by 1.3 seconds.

18 to go, Lundgaard is all over the gearbox of the leader! Malukas blocks the inside into turn one. He misses a shift and Lundgaard pulls on the outside. They fight for space into turn four, Lundgaard to the lead!

8 to go, Lundgaard leads Malukas by 3 seconds. He’s driving away.