Daijiworld Media Network - Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana, Jan 20: An Indiana state court judge and his wife are in stable condition after they were shot at their residence in Lafayette, authorities said on Monday, as police intensified efforts to track down the attackers.
Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer sustained an injury to his arm, while his wife, Kimberly Meyer, suffered a gunshot wound to her hip in the attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon. Police said officers rushed to the residential neighbourhood, located around 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis, following reports of gunfire and found the couple injured at their home.
Both were provided medical treatment, and investigators recovered shell casings from the scene, officials said.
The Lafayette Police Department stated that the probe remains active and is being handled jointly by local, state and federal agencies. However, no motive has been established so far, and authorities have not released details about suspects involved in the shooting.
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski condemned the incident, assuring residents that law enforcement agencies were deploying all available resources to apprehend those responsible. He described the shooting as a “senseless and unacceptable act of violence.”
In a statement issued on Monday, Kimberly Meyer expressed gratitude to first responders and medical staff, and said she has “great confidence” in investigators handling the case.
The incident has also raised concerns across Indiana’s judiciary. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush urged judges to remain alert about their personal safety, noting growing worries following the attack.
“I worry about the safety of all our judges,” she said in a letter to judicial officers. “As you work to peacefully resolve more than one million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe. Any violence against a judge or a judge’s family is completely unacceptable.”
Police said further updates would be shared as the investigation progresses.