Authorities arrested five people this week, three of whom are accused of attempted murder, in connection to the shooting of an Indiana judge.
Tippecanoe County Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were shot at their home in Lafayette, Indiana, about 63.6 miles northwest of Indianapolis, last Sunday at around 2:17 p.m. local time. Mr. Meyer’s arm was hit and injured, and Ms. Meyer’s hip was hit and injured by the gunfire, the Lafayette Police Department said.
The victims were purportedly lured to the door by one of the suspects, who claimed to have found a dog before opening fire through the door, according to The New York Times. Ms. Meyer was released Sunday, while Mr. Meyer remains hospitalized in stable condition.
On Thursday, police announced the arrest of five people accused of involvement in the shooting.
Blake Smith, 32, and Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, and Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, each face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, battery causing serious bodily injury, battery using a deadly weapon and intimidation using a deadly weapon. All three also have gang and firearm enhancements to their charges, police said.
Mr. Moss and Mr. Smith are alleged members of the Phantom MC motorcycle club with ties to the Almighty Vice Lord Nation street gang of which Mr. Ferguson is an alleged affiliate, according to court documents cited by The Associated Press.
Mr. Moss is the defendant in another case, facing charges including intimidation, domestic battery and criminal recklessness involving firing a gun into a building. Mr. Meyer is the judge in that case, which was due to begin trial on Tuesday, according to court records.
The other two suspects are Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, arrested on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice, and Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, arrested on charges of obstruction of justice and assisting a criminal, the police said.
Ms. Milsap is accused of trying to pay off the ex-girlfriend of Mr. Moss so that she would not testify in his trial, while Ms. Greer lives with Mr. Ferguson, according to the court documents cited by the AP.
Mr. Meyer, who is recovering, said in a statement that “I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes. I remain confident we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.”
