A brazen daytime shooter disguised as a dog finder attacked a sitting Indiana judge and his wife at their family home, exposing dangerous vulnerabilities in judicial safety under President Trump’s America First push to secure our borders and streets.
Story Snapshot
- Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 Judge Steven Meyer was shot in the arm, and wife, Kimberly, was shot in the hip at their Lafayette home on January 18, 2026, around 2:15 p.m.
- Suspect used a disguise and a ruse about a lost dog, suggesting premeditated assault on a public servant’s family.
- FBI joined multi-agency manhunt; no arrests as of Tuesday, January 20, with suspect still at large.
- The Indiana Chief Justice issued a statewide alert to judges, prompting enhanced courthouse security amid rising concerns over attacks on law and order champions.
- Victims are stable; community leaders vow full resources to catch the perpetrator terrorizing American families.
Shooting Details and Immediate Response
The Lafayette Police Department received shots-fired calls at 2:15-2:17 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Meyers’ residence in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane. Officers arrived to find Judge Steven Meyer wounded in the arm and his wife, Kimberly, shot in the hip. The broad daylight attack targeted the couple at their private home, where the suspect approached using a disguise and a pretext about a found dog. Kimberly Meyer received hospital treatment and was released that evening. Judge Meyer transferred to Indianapolis for surgery, remaining awake and alert. Police Chief Scott Galloway withheld details Monday morning as the probe intensified.
Multi-Agency Manhunt Escalates
The FBI joined the investigation Monday afternoon, January 19, partnering with Lafayette Police, Indiana State Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, West Lafayette Police, and the county prosecutor’s office. No suspect identification or arrest occurred by Monday evening, fueling an active manhunt. Shell casings marked the scene, but weapon specifics stayed undisclosed. Authorities treated the home invasion-style shooting as a grave threat, coordinating resources to apprehend the fugitive who struck in plain view. This federal involvement underscores a commitment to protecting judicial figures who uphold conservative values like the rule of law and family security.
Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin coordinated with the Indiana Supreme Court to cover Superior Court 2 hearings, minimizing disruptions to justice delivery. The suspect’s tactics—deception and disguise—highlight risks to officials handling felonies, murders, family law, and civil cases, core to stable communities.
An urgent manhunt is underway after Indiana Judge Steven Meyer and his wife were shot inside their Lafayette home. Both are in stable condition. The shooting comes amid a rise in threats against judges and elected officials. @AaronKatersky has the latest. https://t.co/hmCNetSnQO pic.twitter.com/1tuDY77yx4
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) January 20, 2026
