A sitting Indiana judge and his wife were the victims of a brazen shooting at their home in broad daylight, in what authorities believe may be a targeted attack on the judicial system. Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife Kim were hospitalized in stable condition, but the shooter remains at large. The incident has prompted a statewide security alert from the Indiana Supreme Court, as federal and local agencies, led by the FBI, coordinate a multi-agency response to investigate the unprecedented violence against a judicial officer.
Story Highlights
- Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and wife Kim shot at home doorway Sunday afternoon.
- Both victims hospitalized in stable condition; shooter remains at large with no arrests made.
- FBI and multiple agencies investigating what may be targeted attack on sitting judge.
- Indiana Supreme Court issues statewide security alert to all judges following shooting.
Judge and Wife Ambushed at Home
On January 18, 2026, at 2:17 p.m., Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife Kim were shot at the doorway of their Lafayette, Indiana home on Mill Pond Lane. The victims sustained gunshot wounds—Steve to his arm and Kim to her hip—before being rushed to local hospitals. Steve Meyer required transfer to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for arm surgery to remove bullet particles. Both remain in stable condition as the investigation continues.
Shell casings were recovered at the scene, indicating the brazen nature of this attack. Lafayette Police immediately secured the Saw Mill Run subdivision, blocking entrances as they searched for the perpetrator. The shooting occurred in broad daylight at a residential home, suggesting either a targeted attack or complete disregard for public safety by the assailant.
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
Multi-Agency Investigation Launched
Lafayette Police Chief Scott Galloway has coordinated a multi-agency response involving local, state, and federal authorities, including the FBI. Mayor Tony Roswarski condemned the incident as a “senseless unacceptable act of violence” and confirmed every available resource has been deployed. The rapid federal involvement suggests authorities are treating this as a potential targeted attack on a judicial officer rather than random violence.
Kim Meyer issued a public statement thanking law enforcement agencies, community members, and medical staff for their response. The couple’s gratitude demonstrates their recognition of the severity of the situation and the professional response from authorities. However, the lack of suspect information or motive more than 24 hours after the shooting raises concerns about public safety.
Statewide Judicial Security Alert
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush, a longtime friend of Judge Meyer, immediately issued a letter to all Indiana judges urging heightened vigilance. Rush called the violence “completely unacceptable” and emphasized the critical role judges play in resolving disputes peacefully. This statewide alert underscores the potential threat this incident poses to judicial independence and the rule of law.
With over one million cases handled annually by Indiana courts, judges serve as essential pillars of our constitutional system. Any attack on judicial officers represents an assault on the foundations of ordered liberty and peaceful dispute resolution. Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin has stepped in to manage Meyer’s caseload, demonstrating the collegial support within the judiciary while highlighting the operational disruption caused by this violence.
Watch the report: Tippecanoe County judge, wife shot at their Lafayette home
Sources:
- Judge shot at his Lafayette home Sunday, investigation continues
- Lafayette Indiana shooting injures Tippecanoe judge Steven Meyer and wife
- Based in Lafayette story: Judge shot at his Lafayette home Sunday, FBI joins manhunt – THE INDIANA CITIZEN
- Judge, wife shot and wounded at home in Lafayette, Indiana – CBS Chicago
