IMPD Officer Shoots Unarmed White Guy

Ryan Hubbard

As the nation learns of the grand jury decision coming out of Ferguson, Missouri tonight that no charges will be filed in the shooting death of Michael Brown by a white police officer, Darrell Wilson, there was a near fatal shooting of a 37-year old, unarmed white man by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer hours earlier.

IMPD officers approached Ryan Hubbard on S. Keystone Avenue near his house on the City's south side to serve an arrest warrant on him in connection with a drug investigation around 12:15 p.m. Police say Hubbard acted fidgety and appeared to be reaching for his waist when an officer fired about three shots at him, striking him. Police later discovered he was unarmed. Here's how Fox59 reported IMPD's justification for shooting the unarmed suspect:

. . . When they approached Hubbard on the street, he appeared “fidgety” and looked like he was reaching for his waistband. 

He refused orders given by police to show his hands. 

“He reached to his waistband several times and was fidgeting with his waistband,” said IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams. “At which point officers made the determination that deadly force was appropriate.” 

That’s when an officer fired an undisclosed number of shots, hitting Hubbard. The man was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition, but was later upgraded to stable condition. 

Police said the suspect was not carrying a weapon. 

“It’s important to understand that officers don’t have to wait until they see a weapon to believe they’re going to be engaged in a gun battle.” 

Hubbard was about to be arrested for narcotics and was on parole for the same thing, police say. He was also being investigated on suspicion of physical abuse against his mother. 

Dan Deno, who lives across the street, says he heard three pops and knew immediately that it was gunfire.

“So when I looked out my front door, with this being right across the street, I could see really well and could see that somebody was on the ground,” Deno said . . .

Although Hubbard's condition is listed as critical, it is believed he will survive his injuries. According to the Odyssey court case management system, a number of felony drug-related charges were filed against Hubbard last Friday.

35-48-4-1(a)(1)/F3: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug Manufacture/Deliver/Finance-Sched. I or II narcotic

35-48-4-1(a)(1)/F4: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug Manufacture/Deliver/Finance-less than 1 gram/enhancin

35-48-4-1.1(a)(1)/F4: Dealing in Methamphetamine Manufacture/Deliver/Finance-less than 1 gram-enhanc

35-48-4-6(a)/F5: Possession of a Narcotic Drug Possession-less than 5 grams-enhancing

35-48-4-6(a)/F5: Possession of a Narcotic Drug Possession-less than 5 grams-enhancing

35-48-4-6.1(a)/F5: Possession of Methamphetamine Possession of les

With the encouragement of CNN's live coverage, protesters gathered in Ferguson, Missouri have now turned violent, destroying property and looting businesses at today's grand jury decision. Protesters are throwing bricks and other objects at police, who are firing tear gas into the crowds in an attempt to disperse the crowds.