Video shows IMPD officer shoot, kill man charging at him with machete

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis police have released bodycam footage that shows an officer shooting and killing a man armed with a machete while investigating a car crash last December on the city’s east side.

Christopher L. Worrell, 37, was shot and killed on Dec. 4, 2024, at an east side business park by an IMPD officer responding to a disturbance following a car crash. Worrell is seen on video holding a machete-style weapon and charging at the IMPD officer prior to the shooting.

IMPD Southeast District officers were called just before 4 p.m. that day to the 1400 block of Brookville Way for an armed man involved in a crash. Upon arrival, one IMPD officer spoke with a witness who described an erratic man running around with a machete.

The man — later identified as Worrell — is seen on video holding a machete once the officer finds the crash scene. The officer can be heard telling Worrell, “Hey, drop the machete” as he gets out of his squad car.

IMPD says that Worrell did not comply with the officer and instead began charging toward the squad car as the officer got out. The officer then moves backward as Worrell runs toward him and can be heard saying “drop it” two times.

The officer then pulls out his department-issued pistol and can be heard firing five shots toward Worrell, who then falls to the ground with the machete still in hand.

The officer is heard immediately calling the shooting into dispatch over his radio and then approaches Worrell, who is lying on the ground.

“Put your hands behind your back,” the officer says multiple times to Worrell before kneeling down and detaining him.

IMPD said additional officers soon arrived on scene and gave Worrell first aid before he was taken to a local hospital. Worrell was later pronounced deceased from his injuries.

The machete brandished by Worrell in the video was later recovered on scene by IMPD officers. A photo of the machete, via IMPD, can be seen below:

Detectives soon discovered that Worrell had reportedly used the machete to stab a woman shortly before officers arrived. The suspect also reportedly used his car to injure a man as well.

“Before the arrival of officers, Mr. Worrell intentionally rammed a vehicle occupied by a man and woman,” IMPD said. “When the woman exited the vehicle, Worrell struck her in the head and the body with the machete. The man suffered injuries likely caused by the vehicle collision.”

IMPD said that both victims were later taken to a local hospital in stable condition. Officials later confirmed that the victims and suspect reportedly knew each other.

Deputy Chief Tanya Terry said Worrell, a former employee at a business in the lot, was likely waiting for the victims to leave work before the attack.

A witness on scene reportedly told detectives that Worrell claimed he was going to commit suicide by cop before IMPD crews arrived. This was not known to the officer when he arrived on scene, IMPD said.

No officers were injured in the attack and the officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave, as is department standard procedure.

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said after the shooting that the incident was “another example of the tough work that [IMPD] officers face.” Bailey said the department is thankful no officers were injured, but added he is “heartbroken” that two people were injured in the incident.

Several independent investigations are being conducted regarding the shooting, including reviews by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response team, IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indy Civilian-Majority Use of Force Review Board.