A quiet Sunday afternoon turned violent when gunshots rang out at the home of a Tippecanoe County judge, leaving him and his wife injured.
On Jan. 18, 2026, around 2:15 p.m., an attack unfolded at the residence of Judge Steven Meyer and Kimberly Meyer in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane, Lafayette, Indiana.
The Lafayette Police Department arrested five suspects in connection with the shooting, which left Steven with an arm injury and Kimberly with a hip injury. Both victims are now in stable condition, and police have confirmed this as the first recorded act of violence against the judge, with no prior threats or emergency calls from the address.
The suspects, identified as Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Ky.; Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Ky.; Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette; Blake Smith, 32, of Lafayette; and Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, face a range of serious charges. Ferguson, Moss, and Smith were booked on attempted murder, aggravated battery, and intimidation with a deadly weapon, with added gang and firearm enhancements, while Moss and Smith are also listed as habitual offenders. Milsap faces bribery and obstruction of justice charges, and Greer is charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.
Dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital paints a chilling picture of the moments before the shooting, with the suspect allegedly knocking on the Meyers’ door and claiming, “We have your dog,” before firing through the entrance, Fox News reported. It’s a gut-wrenching detail that suggests premeditation in this disturbing act against a public servant.
The Lafayette Police Department has emphasized the collaborative nature of the investigation, crediting multiple agencies for their role in swiftly apprehending the suspects. While that teamwork is commendable, it raises questions about why such a brazen act could occur in the first place against someone tasked with upholding justice.
The incident has sparked debate over the safety of judicial figures in an era where respect for law and order often feels under siege. Many argue that public officials like Judge Meyer are increasingly vulnerable as societal tensions boil over, often fueled by progressive narratives that undermine authority.
In his first public statement since the shooting on Wednesday, Judge Meyer expressed gratitude for the support he and his wife have received. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues, and law enforcement,” he said.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my medical team. I am receiving excellent care, and I am improving. Kim is also deeply appreciative of the community support, and she, too, is healing,” Meyer continued.
His words reflect a resilience that’s admirable, yet one can’t help but wonder if this incident will prompt deeper scrutiny of how we protect those who serve in such critical roles. The judge’s personal strength shouldn’t have to compensate for systemic gaps in security.
The severity of the charges—especially the gang and firearm enhancements for three of the suspects—suggests this wasn’t a random act but a coordinated effort with potentially deeper roots. When habitual offenders like Moss and Smith are involved, it’s hard not to question whether current policies on repeat criminals are failing to keep communities safe.
Additional charges like bribery and assisting a criminal against Milsap and Greer hint at a web of complicity that could point to broader issues of corruption or organized crime. If proven, this kind of network around a violent act against a judge is a stark warning about the erosion of civic integrity.
While the facts are still unfolding, the lack of prior threats against Meyer, as confirmed by police to Fox News Digital, makes this attack all the more unsettling. It suggests that even those with no history of danger can become targets in today’s volatile climate, where respect for institutions often takes a backseat to personal grievances.
Judge Meyer’s home, a place that should be a sanctuary, became a crime scene in broad daylight, a stark reminder of the risks faced by those in public service. The audacity of knocking on a door with a false pretext before opening fire speaks to a disregard for basic human decency, let alone the rule of law.
As the investigation continues, many in Lafayette and beyond are left wondering how to prevent such acts without sacrificing the openness of a free society. Tougher penalties for crimes against judicial figures, alongside better protective measures, might be a start, but they must be paired with a cultural shift that rejects the vilification of authority.
Ultimately, this case isn’t just about one judge or one shooting—it’s a wake-up call about the fragility of the systems we rely on. If we can’t safeguard those who uphold justice, what hope is there for the rest of us in an increasingly divided world?
