An Indianapolis cop shot a 48-year-old black man in his own home Tuesday after the man called out police to respond to a robbery. According to RTV 6, Carl Williams called police out to his home after an armed robber had threatened his wife with a gun and tried to steal her car at around 4:30 A.M.
Officer Christopher Mills responded with his partner – but when he saw Williams, Mills shot him, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said. Mills, a nine-year veteran with the East District police, shot Williams in the stomach once. It’s not known if he fired other shots.
According to the Daily Mail:
‘Our homeowner, the individual who was trying his best protect himself and his wife from any other harm, was shot mistakenly by our officers,’ IMPD Major Richard Riddle in a press conference Tuesday.
‘This incident occurred within a few seconds, and those judgment calls are made within a few split seconds. She was victimized, and unfortunately now, her husband was victimized as well.’
According to the IMPD, Mills and his partner approached the house and saw the black vehicle still stationary in the driveway. Concerned that the armed robber was still on the premises, police said, the officers attempted ‘to approach in a covert manner to investigate the vehicle.’
Williams then exited his garage holding a handgun, the IndyStar said, and was shot. It’s not clear what – if any – words were exchanged, or whether Williams resembled the description of the robber given to cops. But police said there was no indication that Williams held the weapon in a threatening way.
Although Williams was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital and is in serious condition, luckily, he is expected to survive.
[h/t RTV 6]
