Indiana Judge and Wife Shot at Home in Lafayette: Manhunt Continues as Judiciary Warned to Heighten Security

An Indiana state court judge and his wife are recovering after being shot inside their home in Lafayette, a case that has triggered a wide-ranging investigation and renewed concerns about threats targeting public officials. The couple remained in stable condition as law enforcement continued searching for the shooter, who had not been publicly identified as of Tuesday.

The shooting has sent a jolt through Indiana’s legal community, prompting statewide messages urging judges to review personal safety practices and coordinate with local law enforcement.

What Happened in the Lafayette Shooting

The victims were identified as Judge Steven Meyer, who serves on the Tippecanoe Superior Court, and his wife, Kimberly Meyer. Police responded to a report of a shooting Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2026, at their residence in a Lafayette neighborhood roughly an hour northwest of Indianapolis.

Investigators said both were treated for gunshot wounds and transported for medical care. Judge Meyer suffered an injury to his arm, while Kimberly Meyer was wounded in the hip. Authorities recovered shell casings from the scene, indicating multiple shots were fired.

Officials have not released a motive, and the investigation remains active. Authorities have asked the public to share any relevant information, particularly anything unusual observed in the area around the time of the shooting.

Suspect Still at Large as Multi-Agency Search Expands

The most urgent development is that the shooter remained at large, prompting a broader manhunt. The investigation includes local police as well as state and federal partners, reflecting both the seriousness of the attack and the possibility that it involved targeted violence against a member of the judiciary.

When a case involves a judge or court official, investigators typically examine several possibilities at once: professional connections, past cases, recent disputes, and any signs of planning or surveillance. Officials have not confirmed which of these angles are central in this case, and many details remain developing.

Reaction in Indiana: Judicial Safety Takes Center Stage

The shooting quickly prompted statements emphasizing the need to protect judges and court staff. Indiana’s chief justice sent a message to judges statewide urging vigilance and encouraging them to contact local sheriffs about security considerations.

That alert underscores a broader trend: courts across the U.S. have faced rising concern over harassment and threats directed at judges, prosecutors, and election officials. Even when most threats do not escalate into violence, incidents like this one intensify anxiety and can prompt immediate security reviews, including home-safety assessments and courthouse protection measures.

Local leaders in Lafayette also emphasized a strong response, describing the crime as serious and committing resources to identify the shooter.

Who Is Judge Steven Meyer?

Judge Meyer is a long-serving Tippecanoe County judge. His public career and courtroom work have made him a recognizable figure in the community, and the attack has drawn heightened attention because it occurred at his home, away from the courthouse setting where security is typically tighter.

Authorities have not indicated whether the shooting was connected to his judicial role, and investigators have been careful not to speculate publicly while the suspect remains unidentified.

What Residents Should Know Right Now

With limited confirmed details, the practical guidance for residents in and around Lafayette is straightforward:

• Report suspicious behavior promptly, especially anything unusual in residential areas where the shooting occurred.

• Be cautious with unexpected visitors at the door, particularly after dark or when alone.

• If you have security cameras, check footage from the hours surrounding the incident and preserve anything relevant.

In cases where a suspect is still at large, investigators often work quickly to establish a timeline, locate potential vehicle descriptions, and identify patterns from surveillance video and neighborhood accounts.

What Happens Next in the Investigation

The next phase typically includes several parallel steps: interviews with neighbors and potential witnesses, analysis of physical evidence collected at the scene, review of camera footage from nearby homes and businesses, and deeper background work to determine whether the attack appears random or targeted.

Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as the search progresses and as investigators confirm more details that can be released without compromising the case. For now, officials have emphasized the couple’s stable condition while keeping the focus on locating the shooter.

As the manhunt continues, the broader impact may be felt beyond Lafayette: the incident is already pushing renewed attention on how judges and other public servants protect themselves outside official workplaces, and whether additional security resources are needed to deter attacks before they happen.