WTHR |IMPD releases sketch of shooting suspect

IMPD releases sketch of shooting suspect

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - IMPD is searching for a suspect who shot a pregnant bank teller during a robbery at the Huntington Bank near the corner of 21st and Post on the east side Tuesday morning.

Witnesses say a black male, standing about 6'1", weighing 215-220lbs came into the bank shooting a high-powered weapon, described by some as a 9mm MP5-like rifle. Witnesses say the man was wearing a blue stocking cap, a dark face covering, a gray collared jacket, blue jeans and dark colored shoes with light colored heels. Police believe three tellers and a customer were inside the bank at the time.

According to the police report, the suspect screamed at the people inside the bank while waving his gun. He leapt over the counter and fired a shot at the teller, hitting her in the abdomen.

"He apparently went and grabbed some money out of the teller booths and jumped back over and as he ran out fired another shot," said IMPD Lt. Jeff Duhamell.

The second shot was reportedly fired into an empty chair by the door as the man fled the scene on foot.

The panicked 911 call from a co-worker sent more than 100 officers rushing to the scene.

"We were just robbed and we need an ambulance. Someone is shot. They shot someone," the caller said. "Please hurry. She's pregnant. She's pregnant with twins!"

The injured teller, 30-year-old Katherin Shuffield of Franklin, is five months pregnant with twins. She is in critical but stable condition in intensive care following surgery at Methodist Hospital and both of the twins are okay at this point. It is believed that the bullet went through Shuffield when she was shot. She was alert and talking when taken to the hospital.

"Someone who would do that can't be in their right mind," said Lt. Duhamell, adding that most bank robbers focus on getting the money and making their escape. For the suspect to "just jump over and shoot her [unprovoked], it's sick."

Duhamell said he hoped the community would agree that "this was a bad thing to happen. No matter who it is, we need your help to find out who it is. Get him in jail right away."

Shortly after the shooting, police say the man was seen getting into a late model, gold, four-door Dodge Intrepid that may have been involved in the crime. Another vehicle, a new model, bright blue Honda Pilot followed the Intrepid away from the scene. Witnesses believe the two cars may have acted together in the crime.

Tuesday evening, detectives released a composite sketch of the suspect and a description of the vehicles involved in the crime.

Federal investigators called in

Wendy Osborne with the FBI, who is assisting in the manhunt, says the investigation may include more than one person.

"We had one individual enter the bank, but we believe there are others involved," Osborne said.

IMPD Chief Michael Spears called it a "senseless" and "shocking" crime. He said the department was using all of its resources to find the suspect, and that officers from all districts were assisting. IMPD is also using a mobile command post.

Spears appeared shaken at a press conference, but issued a stern warning for the suspect.

"Nobody is going to get away with shooting a pregnant bank teller in this city and not get caught quickly," he said.

Mayor Greg Ballard took a tour of the crime scene before offering stern words of his own.

"We will hunt these men down and bring justice upon them," the mayor said.

The chief told the public to call police if they see anyone who looks out of place in their neighborhood.

"It could be nothing, but then again, it could be the tip that makes the investigation," he said.

Investigators also found green, surgical-style rubber gloves possibly worn by the suspect during the robbery and thrown away during the getaway.

Members of the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force and their local field office are helping local law enforcement in the search for the suspect. Osborne said they will also help conduct interviews and gathering information to create a suspect description.

The same branch was held up on Feb. 15, and the Rev. John Van Valin, senior pastor of the Aldersgate Free Methodist Church across the street, said thieves have broken out windows and stolen items from worshippers' cars during Sunday morning services.

High school locked down

After an intense two-hour search through cargo trucks, warehouses and neighboring hotels, officers say a K-9 tracked a scent to Warren Central High School. Not only did police find trails of money behind the school, surveillance video shows two students entering the building shortly after the hold-up.

Police questioned students and later released them into the custody of their parents.

"The two young men were seen trying to enter the school that students shouldn't be coming or going from the school," said IMPD Chief Michael Spears.

The chief said investigators were curious about the boys' activities and wanted to talk to them in detail. Police also stopped two men for questioning at a traffic stop earlier Tuesday, but later released both of them.

"That scares you, because they might try to come back to school and if they will shoot a pregnant woman, they might try to shoot us," said senior Paisley Benberry.

The campus of 3,800 was locked down both from the outside and within, no one was allowed to move from classroom to classroom. Stoneybrook Elementary teacher Nick Uhl was attending a workshop at the high school.

"It was very frustrating, but at least we were working for most of it and the part when we were done and wanted to move on to schoolwork and we couldn't, [it was] a little difficult," Uhl said.

Parent Connie Johnson learned about the robbery and subsequent lockdown early Tuesday morning and said she's pleased with the school district's response.

"I feel they did what they had to do considering the situation and how close it was," she said.

School administrators say despite the day-long lockdown, the high school students still stand to benefit.

"Whenever we can teach a lesson of safety, it's not a wasted lesson," said Tony Burchett. "In this day and age, we try to leave as little as possible to chance in terms of safety."

Related information
Police release vehicle descriptions
Suspect sketch