BEECH GROVE IND., One police officer was killed and another wounded Monday evening in a shooting in Beech Grove, prompting a statewide Blue Alert and an extensive search for the suspect, who remains at large.
The fallen officer has been identified as 33-year-old Brian Elliott of the Beech Grove Police Department (BGPD). A second officer, whose name has not been released, was also shot and is reported to be in stable condition and expected to survive.
The Indiana State Police (ISP) issued a Blue Alert for 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson in connection with the shooting.
Johnson is described as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing about 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities said he was last seen wearing a royal blue sweatshirt and blue pants. His last known location was in Beech Grove, southeast of downtown Indianapolis, at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Johnson is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement officials are urging the public not to approach him. Anyone who sees Johnson is instructed to contact ISP’s Indianapolis District at (317) 899-8577 or call 911 immediately.
According to ISP Sgt. John Perrine, Johnson is wanted for his alleged involvement in injuring a law enforcement officer.
Police were initially dispatched at approximately 5:37 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court in response to a reported disturbance inside an apartment unit. Minutes later, at approximately 5:45 p.m., the call was upgraded to a “gunshot scene unsafe.”
Authorities allege that Johnson opened fire on two Beech Grove officers as they responded to the disturbance. The suspect then fled the area on foot, triggering a large-scale law enforcement response.
Around 6:10 p.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) shut down Emerson Avenue from Churchman Avenue to Interstate 465 as officers searched for the suspect. Residents were advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.
Law enforcement deployed helicopters, K-9 units, and additional resources as part of the ongoing search effort.
The shooting occurred near Beech Grove High School, prompting an immediate lockdown of the campus. Although classes had already been dismissed for the day, students were still present for after-school activities, including sports practices.
School administrators confirmed that all students and staff on campus during the lockdown were safe and were later reunited with their families. In a statement, school officials said law enforcement searched and cleared the building.
Beech Grove City Schools plans to hold in-person classes as scheduled on Tuesday, pending any updated guidance from law enforcement. Counselors and support staff will be available to assist students and staff impacted by the incident.
In a message to families, school administrators expressed sympathy for the injured officers and their families and encouraged the community to support one another.
Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice confirmed that Officer Brian Elliott was fatally wounded during the response.
According to Chief Maurice, Elliott and two other officers were dispatched at approximately 6:08 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court for a disturbance. Upon arrival, Elliott and another officer were shot.
Both officers were transported to Eskenazi Hospital. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Officer Elliott died from his injuries. The second officer remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Elliott had served with BGPD for two years and previously worked with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. He was described as a lifelong member of the Beech Grove community who had long aspired to serve as a local police officer.
“My heart goes out to Brian’s wife, Erin, his parents, and all of his family, friends, and loved ones,” Chief Maurice said. “At this time, I am asking that we lean on one another to get through this. We are grateful to the team at Eskenazi Hospital, and our law enforcement and community partners for their extraordinary response and support.”
According to Indiana State Police, a Blue Alert is a statewide notification system used to distribute information when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or gone missing in the line of duty. The alert may also provide information about suspects believed to be responsible for injuring or killing an officer.
As of the latest update, Kenneth Terrell Johnson remains at large. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
The investigation remains active, and additional details are expected as they become available.
