The Lafayette, Indiana, community and multiple law-enforcement agencies are searching for the person who shot Judge Steven Meyer and his wife at their home. The attacker allegedly knocked, said 'We have your dog,' then fired through the door around 2:15 p.m.; both victims are hospitalized and in stable condition. Defense attorney Jonna Spilbor warned investigators may face a 'long list of potential suspects' because judges are often blamed after adverse rulings. Natalia Grace, tied to a high-profile case Meyer handled, has not been named a suspect and faces no charges.
Indiana Judge and Wife Shot at Home; Multi-Agency Manhunt Underway, Defense Says Investigators Face a 'Long List' of Suspects
An Indiana judge, Steven Meyer, and his wife were wounded in a Lafayette shooting Sunday afternoon as local, state and federal authorities investigate.(Fox News)
An active, multi-agency investigation continues after an unidentified assailant shot Indiana judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, at their Lafayette home. Both victims were taken to a hospital and are reported in stable condition.
What Happened
According to dispatch audio reviewed by law enforcement, the suspect allegedly knocked on the Meyers' door at about 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, said 'We have your dog,' and then fired through the door. Shell casings were recovered at the scene; officials have not disclosed the exact number of rounds fired. The shooter remains at large.
Response and Investigation
The investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies, including the Lafayette Police Department, Indiana State Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office, West Lafayette Police Department and the FBI. Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward as the search continues.
The Meyers' Statement
'I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues, and law enforcement,' Judge Meyer said in his first public remarks since the shooting. 'I am receiving excellent care and I am improving. Kim is also deeply appreciative for the community support, and she too is healing.' He added that the attack would not shake his faith in the judicial system.
Context: High-Profile Cases and Potential Motives
Judge Meyer has presided over several high-profile and violent cases in Tippecanoe County. One of the most publicized was the unusual Natalia Grace adoption matter involving adoptive parents Kristine and Michael Barnett. Prosecutors charged the Barnetts in 2019 with neglect related to questions about Grace's age and diagnosis; the Barnetts claimed Grace, who was diagnosed with dwarfism, had hidden her true age. Natalia Grace has not been named as a suspect in the shooting and faces no charges related to this incident.
Natalia Grace's birth records in Ukraine were allegedly lost in a flooding incident, further complicating the question of her true age.
Other notable cases Meyer handled include the 32-year sentence in July for Deonta Johnson — tied to a child's accidental death involving an unsecured gun — and an 85-year sentence for Travion Antoine Barbee following attempted-murder convictions. These and other violent cases contribute to the wide pool of people who, a defense attorney notes, might hold grudges against a judge.
Defense Perspective
Criminal defense attorney Jonna Spilbor told reporters that judges commonly appear near the top of lists of people blamed by defendants after unfavorable rulings, meaning investigators may need to investigate many potential leads. 'People blame the judge probably before they blame anybody else,' Spilbor said, adding that the suspect appeared to have a plan to get the Meyers to open the door and that the 'We have your dog' line may have been a ruse.
What Officials Are Saying
Authorities have not announced any suspects or motives publicly. The investigation remains active and involves evidence collection, witness interviews and review of the dispatch audio. No one has been charged in connection with the shooting.
How to Help: Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Lafayette Police Department or the FBI tip line. Authorities stress that even small details may be important.
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