13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Police identify suspect killed during robbery attempt

Police identify suspect killed during robbery attempt

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Police have identified a robbery suspect who was shot and killed by an employee at the scene of his latest crime.

Metro Police say an armed suspect attempted to rob the El Michoacano supermarket in the 6200 block of West 34th Street just before 9 pm. All of the customers and employees in the store were ordered to move to one side of the store.

Police believe the suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Christopher Barreto, didn't want any of the customers or employees to recognize him.

"He's armed with a silver handgun and he had a mask and gloves on," said IMPD Lt. Jeff Duhamell.

As Barreto committed the robbery, police say an employee pressed a secret panic button. Another employee grabbed a gun kept inside the store for protection, but realized it was too risky to react right away.

"At that point, he goes outside because where he was standing, there was too many people right there for him to defend the other employees," Lt. Duhamell said.

The armed employee circled the outside of the supermarket and got a clear view of Barreto inside.

"Opened the front door and sees the suspect. At that point, he saw the suspect point the gun at a mother and a child and at that point, fearing for them, he fired one shot, striking the suspect," said Lt. Duhamell.

When police found Barreto in the store, he was in critical condition. He was transported to Wishard Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Detectives talked with the employee who fired the shot and witnesses to determine what happened, but made no arrests. A release from IMPD Sunday night stated it appeared the shooting was justified.

According to police, Barreto has been in and out of jail for years. An Eyewitness News investigation shows his first arrest happened when he was only 14 years old. His arrests since then include armed robbery, auto theft and drug possession. Based on what happened at the supermarket Sunday, police now suspect him in other crimes.

"I am sure he has probably been involved in other robberies," Lt. Duhamell said. "He was wearing a ski mask and gloves."

Police also say, based on the tattoos on Barreto's neck, he more than likely, at one time, had an affiliation with local gangs.