INDIANAPOLIS – Police say a domestic disturbance led to a deadly officer-involved shooting on Indy’s south side early Tuesday morning.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said officers were called by a woman near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Southport Road who told officers someone called to tell her that her ex-boyfriend was on his way to her house to kill her. She told officers she left her home with her kids, and her ex-boyfriend followed her.

The caller reported a man was going to “kill them all.”

As officers were speaking with the woman, they located the suspect’s vehicle.

Officers initiated a traffic stop, but a pursuit ensued that ended in the 1800 block of Portage Terrace.

Investigators said 37-year-old Eric Taylor got out of his car with a gun in his hand, ignored commands to drop the weapon and yelled at police “Shoot me!”

At some point, IMPD said one officer fired at least one shot. Taylor fell into the passenger seat of his car and died after being taken to the hospital.

“He said, ‘What’s going on? I didn’t do anything? What you gonna do shoot me? Shoot me.’  Then, bam,” said neighbor Vanessa Burton.

Vanessa insisted she didn’t see Taylor with a gun in his hands, but police said officers recovered a gun on scene. A photo of that gun, provided by IMPD, can be seen below.

“This was a very tragic situation,” IMPD Lt. Shane Foley said. “Nobody wins in this incident. At the same time, we’re thankful the female who called, or made contact with police, was safe. We’re thankful that her kids are safe.”

“It’s crazy,” neighbor Kelly Self said. “It scares me.”

Self said she had lived in the same building as Taylor for years until he moved out a few months ago.

Several neighbors admitted that the suspect had a history of domestic issues with the mother of his children and police claim he recently threatened to shoot her and commit suicide.

“We hear them yelling. We hear them drinking and arguing and the kids suffering and crying. We’ve seen it,” neighbor Shawn Bennett said. “I’ve seen this family have domestic issues not inside their house.”

Still, court records show Taylor had never been charged with domestic violence. Neighbors who claimed they knew him said they were surprised by Taylor’s violent death.

“He was a good father,” Self said. “He was a terrible boyfriend, but he would help you if he could.”

Police said that no IMPD officers were injured. Officers’ body cameras were activated during the incident.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation, in addition to IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team which will conduct the criminal investigation. 

A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officer who fired his gun has been placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting investigation.   

The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any attempted use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process. 

The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.  The IMPD Chaplain’s Office and Victims Assistance responded to assist those involved. 

Anyone with information is asked to call. Detective Christopher Winter at the homicide office by calling (317) 327-3475. Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (317) 262-TIPS.