INDIANAPOLIS — Newly-released edited body-worn camera footage shows Indianapolis Metropolitan police officers shoot an unarmed man who was wanted on multiple warrants and later charged with child molestation.
The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. on Oct. 2, when IMPD was asked by child abuse detectives to bring in a suspect on outstanding warrants in Marion and Johnson counties. The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Cartonieo McBride.
IMPD detectives soon surrounded a detached garage in the 900 block of Grant Avenue on the city’s east side. It was believed that McBride was hiding inside the garage.
Once IMPD announced its presence, McBride came out of the garage with his hands up and was initially complying with officer commands. Aerial video footage shows McBride walking out of the garage with something in his hand, moving a trash can aside and opening a fence.
McBride is then seen walking through a backyard and getting closer to the IMPD detectives.
“Listen to our commands,” one detective shouts.https://cdn.amspbs.com/load-cookie.html?source=amp&bidders=appnexus%2Crubicon%2Cpubmatic%2Cix%2Cttd%2Copenx%2Cmedianet%2Cnativo%2Ckueezrtb%2Ctriplelift%2Cminutemedia%2Csharethrough&args=account%3A3#amp=1
“What did I do?” asks McBride.
“Walk to us,” a detective responds. “Put your hands up.”
“I’m trying to figure out what’s going on,” McBride says.
“We’re giving you lawful commands,” the detective responds.
Throughout this time, one detective has a handgun pointed at McBride while another has a stun gun pointed at him. As he gets closer, they ask him to turn around and keep walking toward them.
“You are about to get tazed, man,” one detective says.
“What is going on, man? What did I do?” asks McBride, with his hands in the air. “What do you want me to do, man?”
“Walk towards me, you are going to go in handcuffs,” another detective responds.
At this point, McBride stops walking and asks, “What did I do?” again.
“Cartonieo, you have warrants. That’s what this is about,” the detective responds. “Turn around.”
McBride is then seen dropping his hands to his sides.
“Hey, I’m not doing none of that, bro,” he says.
“M****rf****er, you’re about to be tazed,” the detective holding the stun gun says as she steps forward toward McBride.
McBride then reaches to adjust his pant line and turns around to run.
“Taze him, taze him,” a detective is heard saying before the stun gun goes off and a single gunshot rings out. IMPD later confirmed that one detective fired one shot as the stun gun was being deployed.
McBride is then seen running away, but after a few steps, he falls to the ground. Several detectives are then seen approaching with their guns drawn.
“Keep your hands where I can see them, or you’re gonna get shot,” a detective yells. “I will not give you another warning.”
After this, McBride appears to roll over on the ground and grab at his pants again. Soon after, five more gunshots ring out from the detectives. In total, three IMPD detectives fired their weapons.
McBride seen rolling over before detectives shoot again
Additional officers came to the scene with a ballistic shield after detectives feared walking up closer to McBride. They eventually “safely approached” him on the ground, handcuffed him and began providing medical aid.
It was soon determined by detectives that McBride was unarmed. No guns or other weapons were found in his immediate area. No officers or involved citizens were injured.
Medics arrived on scene and took McBride to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. He later recovered from his gunshot wounds and was arrested on the following outstanding warrants:
- Marion County
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony); Theft of a firearm (Level 5 Felony); Driving while suspended (Class A Misdemeanor); Unlawful firearm possession by a domestic batterer (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Johnson County
- Robbery (Level 5 Felony).
No additional charges related to the shooting itself have been filed against McBride, according to online court documents. However, over 10 child sexual abuse charges have since been filed against him.
McBride was charged on Oct. 22 in Marion Superior Court 20 with the following:
- Child Molesting – Level 1 Felony
- Four counts
- Incest with a victim under 16 – Level 4 Felony
- Two counts
- Child Molesting – Level 4 Felony
- Incest – Level 5 Felony
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor – Level 5 Felony
- Child Seduction – Level 5 Felony
- Child Seduction – Level 6 Felony
All of the officers who fired shots were placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure. The police shooting is now under investigation by IMPD’s critical incident response team.
The department’s internal affairs unit will also conduct its own investigation into the shooting, and the incident will be reviewed by the civilian-majority use-of-force review board.
