Judge Steven Meyer shot at Lafayette home in Indiana, suspect unknown
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An Indiana judge who was shot by an unknown suspect in his home earlier this week has had no threats recorded against him, according to local authorities.
Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were injured around 2:15 a.m. Sunday when an unidentified man knocked on the front door of their Lafayette home, told them, “We’ve got your dog,” and shot through the door, according to audio recording obtained by Fox News Digital.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, the incident was the first recorded act of violence against a judge. Authorities have no record of previous threats to Meyer or 911 calls made from the judge’s Mill Pond Lane address, a department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Authorities said Steven Meyer was shot in the arm and Kimberly Meyer was shot in the hip. The couple was taken to the hospital after the shooting.
IN STRIKE NATALIA GRACE CASE, INDIANA JUDGE WAS SHOT IN HOME ATTACK AS POLICE SUSPECTED HUNTED
An Indiana judge and his wife were injured in a shooting in Lafayette Sunday afternoon while local, state and federal authorities investigate. (Tippecanoe Superior Court)
While the number of shots fired remained unclear, it was reported that the police found empty cartridges at the scene.
According to a written statement from his colleagues, Steven Meyer remained hospitalized in stable condition as of Monday.
Democrat Steven Meyer has served as a Tippecanoe Superior Court judge for 12 years and recently announced he will not seek re-election to a third term in the November 2026 election. accordingly Base.
The judge previously made national headlines in 2022 when he presided over the trials of then-married couple Michael and Kristine Barnett, Natalia Grace’s adoptive parents.
ARMED SUSPECT SAID 4 WORDS BEFORE SHOOTING THE JUDGE AND HIS WIFE IN INDIANA: DISPATCH AUDIO
Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were shot on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane in Lafayette, Indiana, around 2:15 p.m. (Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was accused of impersonating a child by the Barnett family after she was adopted by her family in April 2010 when she was 6 years old.
The Barnetts successfully petitioned a Marion County court to change Grace’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, making Grace legally 22 years old.
Following years of accusations of abuse by the Barnetts and Grace, the couple moved into an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, before fleeing to Canada with their three biological sons, according to Investigation Discovery’s documentary “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.” Shortly after moving in, a neighbor noticed that Grace was having trouble finding meals and completing basic household chores.
In September 2019, the Barnetts were accused of neglecting a dependent due to Grace’s disability.
During Michael Barnett’s trial, Judge Meyer ruled that Grace could only be referred to as an adult, citing the court’s previous ruling regarding her birth year: accordingly Base. Judge Meyer also reportedly issued a speaking ban on all parties after the couple appeared on “Good Morning America” in 2019.
UKRAINIAN ORPHAN NATALIA GRACE REJECTS PLAN TO KILL HER PARENTS WHO ARE AMERICAN ADOPTERS AS A CHILD
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith anticipates increased security at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse for the foreseeable future following the Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 shooting of Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim, at their home. (Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Michael Barnett was found not guilty by a jury in 2022, while Kristine Barnett’s charges were dismissed by Judge Meyer in 2023.
Grace was not named as a suspect in Meyers’ shooting and was not charged with a crime.
In a statement written by Chief Judge Loretta Rush, Rush expressed concern for all judges in the community and urged public officials to remain vigilant as the shooter remains at large.
“I worry about the safety of all our judges,” Rush wrote. “As we work to peacefully resolve more than 1 million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, but be safe. Any violence against a judge or the judge’s family is completely unacceptable. As public servants, you are committed to the rule of law.”
INDIANA JUDGE AND HUSBAND SHOT IN DAYLIGHT, SAMPLING A MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT INVESTIGATION
Additionally, Kimberly Meyer thanked local authorities through the police for their involvement in the case.
“I have great confidence in the Lafayette Police Department’s investigation and want to thank all the agencies involved for their work,” he said in part. “We are also incredibly grateful for the support from the community – everyone has been so kind and compassionate.”
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski also condemned the attack, calling it a “senseless, unacceptable act of violence” and vowing to continue providing resources for the investigation.
No arrests were made and authorities did not release a description of the suspect.
Multiple agencies are involved in the case, including the Lafayette Police Department, Indiana State Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, West Lafayette Police Department, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI.
The Lafayette Police Department declined Fox News’ request for comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
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Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 765-807-1200.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace, Greg Wehner and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
