INDIANAPOLIS (CN) – Two Indiana judges have been hospitalized after they were shot early Wednesday morning in the parking lot of a White Castle restaurant.
Clark County Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs, both elected in 2014, were in Indianapolis attending a judicial education conference when they were shot in the parking lot of a downtown Indianapolis White Castle around 3:30 a.m.
It was originally reported that the incident started at a nearby bar, but the Indianapolis Metro Police Department are now saying that the incident took place entirely in the restaurant parking lot.
In addition, police have not shared any information about a possible suspect.
Both judges are currently in stable condition, according to a statement from Indiana Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathryn Dolan.
“Our judges across the state are heartbroken to learn of this violent act against our colleagues,” Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush said in a statement. “We send our prayers for a speedy recovery for both Judge Jacobs and Judge Adams and our love and support to their families and the Clark County community.”
The Indiana Judicial Branch holds educational conferences across the state throughout the year, and the two Clark County judges were in Indianapolis to attend one of the continuing education learning sessions.
Clark County Judge Vicki Carmichael released a statement saying she was “shocked to learn of the overnight violence involving her fellow judges.”
Carmichael went on to say that she had been assured that there is no reason to believe that the judges were targeted because of their positions and that the incident “appears to be a random act of violence.”
In further support for the injured judges, Indiana State Bar Association President Todd Spurgeon said he was saddened to near the news.
“I have appeared before these judges many times, and count them among my friends in this community. Although our justice system is generally adversarial by nature, we are one legal community, and at times like this we come together to lift up our colleagues and their families. Personally, and on behalf of the Indiana State Bar Association, I offer our heartfelt support and prayers for the judges’ recovery,” said Spurgeon, who is a partner for the New Albany-based law firm Kightlinger & Gray.
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