Indianapolis police shoot homeowner in robbery confusion

INDIANAPOLIS — Police officers in Indianapolis shot and wounded an armed homeowner trying to protect his wife during a robbery in the city early Tuesday, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.

Early Tuesday morning, police were sent to Foxtail Drive on the far east side of Indianapolis on the report of a possible robbery, according to Marion County, Ind., police dispatch.

Police shot a man with a gun who turned out to be the homeowner. He was trying to stop someone from carjacking his wife at their home, said police Sgt. Kendale Adams. The suspect fled.

Police arrived at a confusing scene, officials said.

A robber held the woman at gunpoint and took her car keys, Adams said. The woman ran inside, but the robber could not start the car.

As police arrived, the garage door opened and the homeowner came out with a gun. Officers shot him, Adams said.

The homeowner, who was shot at least once in the mid-section, was taken to the hospital.

Angela Parrott, who has lived in the area for about a year, was concerned that a homeowner was shot trying to protect his family.

"I think that's really crazy," she said. "What do we have, trigger-happy police officers out here now?"

Follow Vic Ryckaert on Twitter: @vicryc