Five Individuals Arrested Following Shooting of Indiana Judge and His Wife
Five people have been taken into custody in relation to the recent shooting of an Indiana state judge and his wife at their family home in Lafayette. The incident, which occurred on 18 January, has prompted a significant law enforcement response and raised concerns about judicial safety across the state.
Suspects Face Serious Charges Including Attempted Murder
In an official statement released by Lafayette police, three of the arrested individuals are facing charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The suspects have been identified as Raylen Ferguson, aged 38 from Lexington, Kentucky; Thomas Moss, 43, from Lafayette; and Blake Smith, 32, also from Lafayette.
Police indicated that officials are pursuing gang and firearm enhancements against Ferguson, Smith, and Moss, which could lead to more severe penalties if convictions are secured. The authorities specifically described Moss and Smith as "habitual offenders" in their statement, though no further details were provided regarding their criminal histories.
Connection to Pending Court Case Revealed
While police have not publicly specified a motive for the attack, Indiana court records reveal that Thomas Moss had pending charges in Judge Steven Meyer's courtroom. These charges included domestic violence, intimidation, and illegally carrying a weapon as a felon, with a hearing scheduled for the Friday following the shooting.
Two additional individuals face separate charges in connection with the case. Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, is accused of bribery and obstruction of justice. Zenada Greer, 61, from Lexington, Kentucky, faces allegations of assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.
Judge and Wife Recovering from Injuries
Judge Steven Meyer, who serves on the Tippecanoe County Superior Court, released a statement expressing gratitude for the "outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues and law enforcement." He emphasised his continued faith in the judicial system, stating: "This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes."
The judge confirmed that both he and his wife, Kimberly, are "improving" and "healing" from their injuries. Police reported that the attack resulted in Steven Meyer sustaining a wound to his arm, while Kimberly Meyer suffered a hip injury. Officers recovered shell casings from the scene of the shooting at the couple's Lafayette residence.
Multi-State Law Enforcement Investigation
The investigation involved several law enforcement agencies across multiple states, including police departments in Lexington, Kentucky; Allentown, Pennsylvania; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the United States Marshals Service. This coordinated effort led to the arrests following the double shooting.
Growing Concerns About Judicial Safety
The shooting has caused alarm among Indiana's judicial community, prompting Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush to issue a statement urging judiciary members to "remain vigilant in your own security." She expressed concern about the safety of all judges, noting: "Any violence against a judge or a judge's family is completely unacceptable."
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing threats against judges across the United States, including a notable case in September 2024 when Letcher County, Kentucky judge Kevin Mullins was shot to death in his judicial chambers. The sheriff of Letcher County, Shawn Stines, was subsequently charged in connection with Mullins' killing.
The arrests mark a significant development in a case that has highlighted ongoing security challenges facing judicial officials while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack on Judge Meyer and his wife.
