Bodycam footage shows IMPD officers shoot armed man believed to be attempting ‘suicide by cop’

INDIANAPOLIS — Newly-released edited body-worn camera footage shows Indianapolis Metropolitan police officers shoot an armed man who investigators believe was attempting to commit “suicide by cop.”

The incident began around 11:30 a.m. on July 2, 2024, when IMPD officers were called to the 5100 block of W. Vermont Street. A 911 caller had told dispatch that he had been shot inside his home on the city’s west side.

The caller, later identified as 86-year-old Richard Bures, told 911 that he had been shot in the neck by an unknown man. However, he appeared confused and frantic during the call and repeatedly requested that police officers be sent.

It was later determined by police that Bures had allegedly shot himself once in the neck and left a suicide note at the scene. At the time of the shooting, IMPD officials said it appeared that Bures was trying to commit “suicide by cop.”

Video shows that, upon arrival, two IMPD officers saw Bures standing outside near the front of his home with a pistol in his hand.

“He is trying to shoot me,” one IMPD officer is heard saying. “Hey, he’s reloading the gun. He’s not saying nothing, he’s just pointing it at me.”

Both responding officers took cover behind trees, making it difficult to see Bures in the bodycam footage. However, officers can be heard yelling “drop the gun” at least 20 times throughout the video.

“He is trying to pull the trigger,” one officer is heard saying.

After around 2.5 minutes of trying to communicate with Bures, one of the officers fires two shots while still yelling to drop the gun. Soon after, eight more shots are heard being fired by both responding officers.

Footage then shows both officers, along with backup from IMPD, walk toward Bures as he lies on the ground.

“Don’t go near that gun,” one officer yells.

Officers are then seen detaining Bures before nearby IEMS crews arrive and give the suspect medical treatment. On the ground near Bures, you can see a handgun. IMPD later said that the gun had six empty bullet casings inside.

IMPD then goes inside the home and attempts to look for the 911 caller. However, it was later determined that Bures was the person who called the police. On the way to the hospital, Bures reportedly admitted he had shot himself.

Bures was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. It was later determined by IMPD that he had shot himself once in the neck area prior to calling 911. He was then later hit by two bullets fired by IMPD officers.

IMPD said there was a long delay in releasing the edited bodycam footage because of an ongoing criminal investigation into Bures’ actions. On Sept. 8, 2025, Bures pled guilty to pointing a firearm and was sentenced to mental health treatment as well as one year of probation.

No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured in the shooting, per IMPD.

Both 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 use-of-force review board.

To view the full video released by IMPD, click here.