IMPD: Armed man waving ‘Free Haiti’ flag arrested on the Circle in downtown Indy after firing shots in the air

INDIANAPOLIS — A person waving a flag and firing a gun in the air has been arrested on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis after police were called for an armed suspect.

IMPD crews were called just before 4 p.m. Friday to 1 Monument Circle for a person armed with a weapon reportedly firing shots into the air. Officers soon cordoned off an area of the Circle and asked the public to avoid the area.

Our news partners at the Indianapolis Business Journal captured video of the suspect waving a flag that read “Free Haiti” while walking on the south side of the Circle. IMPD said officers arrived on scene and found a man yelling loudly and waving a handgun.

Officers were told the man had fired multiple shots in the air while standing on the Circle. IMPD said they gave multiple commands for the suspect to drop his gun. The suspect reportedly did not comply and officers fired “at least one” less-lethal round to disarm him.

“They have him on the bricks at Meridian Street and the Circle,” a social media post read. “No one appears to have been injured in the incident.”

He was then detained “without issue” and preliminarily charged with criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. Investigators later found a gun and multiple shell casings on scene.

IMPD added that this was an isolated incident and that there was no active threat to the public.

A photo from IBJ, seen above, shows several officers conducting the arrest. No other information was immediately provided.