Danville, IN — Suspect Dead After Officer-Involved Shooting Outside Hendricks County Courthouse; No Officers Injured
The quiet afternoon in Danville, Indiana was shattered on Monday after an officer-involved shooting outside the Hendricks County Courthouse left one suspect dead and prompted a swift emergency response that drew attention from across the region. In a press conference held by the Indiana State Police, authorities confirmed that no law enforcement officers were injured in the incident, which occurred around 1:00 p.m. during a routine inmate transport.
According to preliminary information provided by State Police, two Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies were performing a standard transport operation, escorting jail inmates into the courthouse for scheduled appearances. As the deputies arrived and began guiding the inmates toward the building, an unidentified civilian—now confirmed as the deceased suspect—produced a firearm on or near the courthouse lawn.
Although it is not yet clear whether the suspect fired any shots, investigators believe that both deputies responded immediately by discharging their service weapons, fatally striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene, which quickly became a restricted area as emergency responders and state law enforcement converged.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released pending family notification, and motive remains under investigation. Authorities are working to determine whether the individual had any connection to the court proceedings or the inmates being transported.
“This is an ongoing investigation,” a State Police spokesperson said during the briefing. “We are in the early stages of reviewing evidence, collecting witness statements, and processing the scene. We understand the public’s concern and are committed to transparency as more facts become available.”
In response to the incident, the Hendricks County Courthouse was closed for the remainder of the day, with all court activities temporarily suspended. Employees, legal staff, and civilians who were inside at the time were safely escorted out of the building under police supervision.
While the scene is secure and there is no ongoing threat to the public, the nature of the incident has shaken residents and raised concerns about security around public institutions.
“This is a shocking event for a community like Danville,” said one nearby business owner who witnessed part of the aftermath. “We don’t expect this sort of violence here, especially not in front of a courthouse.”
The Indiana State Police will take the lead in the use-of-force investigation, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. Body camera footage, surveillance video from the courthouse, and forensic evidence from the scene will all be reviewed as part of the comprehensive inquiry.
The deputies involved have not been named and have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy, pending the outcome of the investigation. Officials stressed that this is not indicative of wrongdoing but is part of the normal procedure to ensure an impartial review.
As the investigation continues, authorities have asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has video footage from the area around the courthouse between 12:45 and 1:15 p.m. to contact the Indiana State Police.
The tragic incident has sparked renewed dialogue about safety protocols in public spaces and the unpredictability of violence, even in seemingly secure locations. For now, the Danville community and local officials are grappling with the gravity of the event while awaiting further answers in the coming days.