Indiana Judge Targeted In Shooting

Indiana Judge and Wife Injured in Targeted Home Shooting

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

On Sunday, Jan. 18, Tippecanoe County Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were both injured in a shooting at their home in Lafayette, Indiana. Law enforcement responded to gunfire at the residence shortly after 2 p.m. and found the couple wounded inside. According to the police, someone knocked on the Meyers’ front door, supposedly saying something about having their dog. Moments later, that person fired multiple shots through the closed door, striking both Steven Meyer in the arm and Kimberly Meyer in the hip. Both were taken to a hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.

In the days following the attack, authorities investigated the shooting, eventually determining that it was an intentional attack. By five days after the shooting, law enforcement had arrested five people in connection with the incident: ​​Raylen Ferguson, 38, Thomas Moss, 43, Blake Smith, 32, Amanda Milsap, 45 and Zenada Greer, 61. The police charged Ferguson, Moss and Smith with attempted murder, aggravated battery and intimidation with a deadly weapon. Milsap faces bribery and obstruction of justice charges, and Greer is charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction.

Court documents indicate that authorities believe the attack was targeted and connected to an upcoming trial overseen by Judge Meyer. Investigators think the plot was led by Thomas Moss, who is described as a high-ranking member of a motorcycle gang with ties to organized criminal activity. According to a probable cause affidavit, Moss and several associates tried to carry out the shooting after attempts to stop a domestic abuse case failed. The attack occurred just two days before the trial was meant to take place, leading prosecutors to believe it was meant to interfere with the judicial process.

Beyond the suspected motive, the shooting has raised serious concerns about the safety of judges and other people in similar positions. State judicial leaders condemned the attack, saying that violence against judges and other public officials threatens the justice system. Officials said they are reviewing security measures and protections for courts to help prevent similar attacks in the future. As the case continues through the legal process, law enforcement has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that those responsible will be held accountable under the law.