Five Individuals Apprehended Following Indiana Judge's Shooting
Authorities have rounded up five individuals as they intensify their probe into the recent shooting incident involving an Indiana judge and his spouse at their residence. This incident has led to a considerable amount of time spent on investigations.
Judge Steven Meyer and his wife Kimberly were the unfortunate victims of this attack that took place in the city. Both victims have since been reported to be in a stable condition post the assault. The judge sustained injuries to his arm while his wife had her hip wounded.
Suspects and Charges
The individuals apprehended include Raylen Ferguson, 38, a resident of Lexington, Kentucky; Thomas Moss, 43, and Blake Smith, 32, both from Lafayette. They have all been slapped with charges of attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, along with a slew of other charges related to the incident.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, the trio also face charges for gang enhancement and firearm enhancement. This could potentially lead to a longer jail term should they be found guilty. Both Moss and Smith have been previously identified as "habitual offenders."
Another two individuals arrested include Amanda Milsap, 45, from Lafayette, who is facing charges of bribery and obstruction of justice, and Zenada Greer, 61, from Lexington, Kentucky, who has been charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice. It remains unclear if any of the accused have secured legal representation.
Collaborative Effort
The arrests were the result of a joint effort involving numerous agencies spanning multiple states. The cooperative investigation included law enforcement from Lexington and Allentown, Pennsylvania, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Judge's Statement
Steven Meyer issued a statement through the Indiana Judicial Bench expressing gratitude for the support of friends, the community, court colleagues, law enforcement, and the medical team that treated him and his wife. "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," he declared.
Concerns About Judges' Safety
Chief Justice of Indiana, Loretta H. Rush, also expressed her concerns regarding the safety of judges. "As you work to peacefully resolve more than 1 million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe. Any violence against a judge or a judge's family is completely unacceptable. As public servants, you are dedicated to the rule of law," she emphasized.