A manhunt is ongoing after an Indiana judge and his wife were shot at inside their residence in broad daylight Sunday, officials said.
Police officers responded to a shooting in the city of Lafayette at around 2:17 p.m. on Jan. 18, the Lafayette Police Department (LPD) said in a press release. Authorities identified the victims as Steven Meyer and Kimberly Meyer. Steven Meyer is a Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 judge, Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush said via a statement obtained by CBS News. The alleged shooter remained at large Monday night.
He suffered a wound on his arm while his wife was injured in the hip, the LPD said. “Shell casings were recovered at the scene. Both victims received medical attention and are in stable condition,” the department said. (RELATED: ‘Act Of Terror’: Man Allegedly Rams Vehicle Into FBI Pittsburgh Gate, Bureau Launches Manhunt)
A caller reported someone knocked on the door and claimed to have their dog, then a bullet was fired through the door, according to the emergency dispatch audio.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the LPD, Indiana State Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, West Lafayette Police Department, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI, according to the police press release.
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski addressed the shooting in a statement released by the LPD.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Meyer family,” Roswarski said. “I want to ensure the community that every available resource is being used to apprehend the individual(s) responsible for this senseless unacceptable act of violence.”
Kimberly Meyer released a statement on behalf of herself and her husband.
“I have great confidence in the Lafayette Police Department’s investigation and want to thank all the agencies involved for their work,” she said. “We are also incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the community; everyone has been so kind and compassionate.”
Rush warned judges statewide to stay alert following the attack, CBS News reported. “Any violence against a judge or a judge’s family is completely unacceptable,” she said.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Robert Goldsmith said there will be additional security in place at the courthouse for the time being. He said authorities did not know of any threats against the judge or others working at the location.
Meyer was previously a Democratic city councilman in Lafayette and oversaw the Natalia Grace adoption case, according to the Daily Beast.