Judge Steven Meyer shot at the Lafayette home in Indiana, the suspect is unknown
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An Indiana judge who was shot in his home by an unknown suspect earlier this week had no recorded incidents of threats, according to local officials.
Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were injured after an unknown person knocked on the door of their Lafayette home around 2:15 p.m. Sunday and told them, “We have your dog,” before firing shots at the door, according to audio obtained by Fox News Digital.
The incident was the first recorded act of violence against a judge, according to the Lafayette Police Department. Officials had no records of previous threats against Meyer or 911 calls from the judge’s Mill Pond Lane address, a department spokeswoman confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Steven Meyer was shot in the arm and Kimberly Meyer was shot in the hip, authorities said. The couple was rushed to the hospital after the incident.
BIZARRE INDIANA JUDGE NATALIA GRACE SHOT IN ATTACK DURING POLICE INTERVENTION.
An Indiana judge and his wife were injured in a shooting in Lafayette Sunday afternoon as local, state and federal authorities investigate. (Tippecanoe Superior Court)
Although the number of those who were shot is not clear, the police reportedly found shell casings at the scene.
As of Monday, Steven Meyer remains in stable condition at the hospital, according to a statement written by his colleagues.
Steven Meyer, a Democrat, has served as a Tippecanoe Superior Court judge for 12 years and recently announced that he will not seek a third term in the upcoming November 2026 election. in accordance with The Exponent.
The judge previously made national headlines in 2022 when he presided over the cases of then-married Michael and Kristine Barnett, who are Natalia Grace’s adoptive parents.
THE SUSPECT SPOKE 4 WORDS BEFORE HE SHOT THE JUDGE AND SENDIANA’S WIFE: DISPATCH AUDIO
Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were shot around 2:15 pm in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane in Lafayette, Indiana on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was accused of child impersonation by the Barnetts after being adopted by their family at the age of 6 in April 2010.
The Barnetts successfully petitioned a Marion County court to change Grace’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, making her 22 years old.
After years of allegedly abusing both the Barnetts and Grace, the couple moved her to an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, before fleeing to Canada with their biological sons, according to the Investigation Discovery documentary, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.” Shortly after moving in, a neighbor saw Grace struggling to support herself and complete basic household chores.
In September 2019, the Barnetts were charged with multiple counts of child neglect, due to Grace’s disability.
During Michael Barnett’s trial, Judge Meyer ordered that Grace be referred to only as an adult, citing a previous court ruling regarding her year of birth. in accordance with The Exponent. Judge Meyer reportedly issued a gag order to all parties after the couple went on “Good Morning America” in 2019.
Ukrainian Orphan, NATALIA GRACE DENIES PLOT TO KILL POWERFUL PARENTS, MAKING CHILD.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith predicts Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, that there will be extra security at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse for the foreseeable future after Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim, were shot in their home. (Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Michael Barnett was found not guilty by a jury in 2022, and Kristine Barnett’s charges were dismissed by Judge Meyer in 2023.
Grace has not been identified as a suspect in Meyers’ shooting, and has not been charged.
In a statement written by Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Rush expressed concern for all judges in the community and urged government officials to remain vigilant as the shooter continues to be on the loose.
“I am concerned for the safety of all our judges,” Rush wrote. “As you work to peacefully resolve more than a million cases a year, you should not only feel safe, you should be safe. Any violence against judges or the family of judges is absolutely unacceptable. As public servants, you are dedicated to the rule of law.”
A JUDGE AND WIFE WERE SHOT ON A WIDE LAND IN INDANA, SPRINGING A MAJOR MULTIAGENCY INVESTIGATION.
Additionally, Kimberly Meyer spoke to the police thanking local officials for their involvement in the case.
“I have great confidence in the Lafayette Police Department’s investigation and I 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 shooting, calling it a “senseless, unacceptable act of violence,” while pledging to continue providing investigative resources.
No one has been arrested and officials have not yet released a description of the suspect.
Multiple agencies, 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, are involved in the case.
The Lafayette Police Department declined Fox News’ request for comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
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Authorities urged 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.
