Prosecutors say the attack aimed to delay a separate criminal trial overseen by the judge.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Five people are in custody after Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly, were shot through the front door of their Lafayette home on Sunday afternoon, authorities said. Investigators allege the gunfire was part of a plan to interfere with an upcoming jury trial scheduled in Meyer’s courtroom.
Officials announced the arrests late this week after a multistate investigation that drew on video, forensic testing and tips. Prosecutors allege the plot involved members of a motorcycle club working with a street gang to stop a domestic abuse case from moving forward. Judge Meyer, who was set to preside over that trial, was wounded in the arm; Kimberly Meyer suffered a hip injury. Both are recovering. The case has prompted fresh security concerns across Indiana’s courts as police and court leaders describe the shooting as a targeted attack on the justice system.
Police said a masked man knocked at the Meyers’ door, claimed to have the family’s dog and then fired several shots through the closed door. The attack happened shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday in a subdivision off Mill Pond Lane. Detectives recovered shell casings and later collected additional evidence, including a silicone mask and a firearm, from locations in Indiana and Kentucky. “This was a coordinated effort to obstruct a case,” Lafayette Police Chief Scott Galloway said in announcing the arrests. Judge Meyer thanked first responders and said he intends to continue his work while following medical guidance.
Those charged include alleged shooter Raylen Ferguson and defendants Thomas Moss and Blake Smith, who face counts such as attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors also charged Amanda Milsap and Zenada Greer with offenses including bribery, obstruction of justice and assisting a criminal. Authorities said Moss had an active case pending in Meyer’s court and that earlier attempts were made to bribe a key witness before the shooting. Investigators said surveillance video captured a vehicle linked to the suspects and that lab results tied DNA to the discarded mask. Officials emphasized that some details remain unknown, including how the suspects first scoped the home and who supplied the weapon used in the shooting.
The attack comes amid wider concerns about threats to judges nationwide and follows several high-profile incidents targeting court officials and their families. In Indiana, court leaders have periodically revisited security protocols after prior episodes, including a 2019 off-duty shooting that wounded two judges in Indianapolis. The Lafayette case differs in that it unfolded at a sitting judge’s home and, according to prosecutors, was designed to halt an imminent trial. Court administrators said a special judge will handle the related criminal proceedings to avoid conflicts, while Meyer’s docket is being adjusted as needed during his recovery.
Prosecutors said charging documents outline a timeline from the alleged bribery effort to Sunday’s shooting and then to the arrests, which occurred over several days in Indiana and Kentucky. Initial hearings are expected this week in Tippecanoe Superior Court, with additional advisement hearings for out-of-county defendants. Investigators said they are reviewing phone records, travel histories and potential gang affiliations and will present further findings to a grand jury if needed. Officials said they expect to release updated charging information and any amended counts ahead of preliminary hearings.
Neighbors described a quiet afternoon broken by a sudden volley of shots and sirens. “It was three, maybe four blasts in a row,” said Mill Pond Lane resident Alicia Turner, who called 911 from her kitchen. Outside the courthouse on Friday, local attorneys expressed support for court staff. “Cases don’t stop because someone tries to scare the system,” defense lawyer Harold Benton said. Community members dropped off cards at the county building, while court officers rotated patrols outside judges’ homes. A small bouquet and a handwritten note reading “We stand with you” sat near the Meyers’ front walkway.
As of Sunday night, both Steven and Kimberly Meyer remained in stable condition. Police said evidence processing continues and that a probable cause update will precede initial hearings early this week. Court administrators said scheduling decisions in the unrelated domestic violence case will be announced after the new judge is assigned.
Author note: Last updated January 25, 2026.