Judge and Wife Shot! FBI Launches Manhunt

A disguised gunman used a ruse about a lost dog to shoot a respected Indiana judge and his wife through their front door, raising alarms about targeted violence against those upholding law and order.

Story Snapshot

Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 Judge Steven Meyer and wife, Kimberly, were shot Sunday afternoon in Lafayette, Indiana; both are stable with non-life-threatening injuries.
Suspect remains at large; FBI joins multi-agency manhunt after premeditated broad-daylight attack using disguise and dog pretext.
Judge Meyer, a veteran of felony cases including murders, faces surgery; courthouse security has been enhanced amid an ongoing threat.
Community leaders rally support, highlighting risks to the judiciary in the era of rising lawlessness.

Attack Details Unfold

On January 18, 2026, at approximately 2:17 p.m., a suspect knocked on the front door of Judge Steven Meyer and Kimberly Meyer’s home in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane, Lafayette, Indiana. Claiming to have found their dog, the disguised intruder fired shots through the door, striking Judge Meyer in the left arm and Kimberly in the hip. Shell casings remained at the scene. Lafayette Police responded immediately, confirming the targeted nature of this broad-daylight assault.

Victims’ Background and Service

Judge Meyer has served as Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 judge for 12 years since his 2014 election, after 23 years on the Lafayette City Council and time as a public defender. His court manages major felonies like levels 1-5 crimes and murders, alongside family and civil cases. Nearing retirement after 35 years of public service, Meyer earned praise from Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush as a longtime friend. No prior threats appear in records, suggesting an isolated yet premeditated strike.

Law Enforcement Response Escalates

Lafayette Police Department leads the investigation under Chief Scott Galloway, joined by Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, West Lafayette Police, FBI, and the county prosecutor’s office. Sheriff Bob Goldsmith announced enhanced courthouse security and patrols starting Tuesday, January 20. Mayor Tony Roswarski pledged every resource to apprehend the suspect. A public tip line operates at 765-807-1200. As of Monday night, January 19, no arrests occurred despite active leads.

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

Kimberly Meyer was released from a Lafayette hospital Sunday evening and expressed great confidence in local police, plus gratitude for community support. Judge Meyer remains awake and alert in an Indianapolis hospital, awaiting arm surgery on Tuesday. Fellow judges, including Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin, coordinate case coverage with the Supreme Court to maintain operations.

Community and Judicial Impacts

This attack disrupts court schedules with cases reassigned, heightening community alerts in Lafayette, a mid-sized Indiana city. Residents show outpouring support amid safety fears, contrasting compassion with shock over senseless violence. Short-term courthouse upgrades address immediate risks; long-term, it spotlights judiciary vulnerabilities from heavy felony caseloads. Such incidents fuel calls for stronger protections for those enforcing justice against criminals.

Under President Trump’s leadership prioritizing law and order, this manhunt underscores the need to shield public servants from those evading accountability. Conservatives recognize how weak past policies on crime and borders embolden such threats, eroding safety for families and judges alike. Full apprehension demands swift federal-local action.