An Indiana Judge Shooting left a judge and his wife injured on Sunday, raising concerns about the safety of public officials amid rising national threats.
Police in Lafayette, Indiana, said they are investigating the shooting of Judge Steven P. Meyer of Tippecanoe County Superior Court and his wife, Kimberly Meyer. Both were taken to a hospital and are in stable condition.
Judge Meyer, 66, announced plans to retire at the end of the year. In his 12 years on the bench, he handled numerous high-profile cases in the state. He has also served on the Lafayette City Council and run for office as a Democrat.
The Lafayette Police Department said officers were called to the couple’s home around 2 p.m. Sunday. Judge Meyer was shot in the arm, while his wife was injured in the hip. Police recovered shell casings at the scene in a suburban neighborhood about 10 minutes from Purdue University’s campus.
According to a police dispatch, a man came to the couple’s door claiming he had found their dog. He then fired through the door before fleeing. Authorities have not released additional details about a suspect.
Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court issued a statement urging judges to remain vigilant. “I worry about the safety of all our judges,” she said. “As you work to peacefully resolve more than one million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe.”
The shooting is part of a troubling national trend of violence against public officials. Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence was set on fire while he and his family slept inside. New Mexico’s Republican Party headquarters was firebombed, and Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated at their home.
Judge Meyer has presided over sensitive cases that have drawn public attention. In July, he sentenced a father to 24 years in prison after the man’s 5-year-old son found an unattended gun and fatally shot his 1-year-old brother. Several other cases he handled received statewide news coverage.
Kimberly Meyer released a statement Monday thanking the police, medical personnel, and community members for their support during this difficult time.
Authorities continue to investigate the Indiana Judge Shooting to determine who was responsible and the motive behind the attack. The incident has reignited discussions about the personal safety of judges and other public servants, highlighting ongoing risks in their line of work.
