Crime
Brian Elliott identified as police officer shot and killed in Beech Grove
A blue alert was just issued for Kenneth Johnson. He is wanted in connection to the shooting of two Beech Grove officers.
BEECH GROVE, Ind. — One police officer was killed and another wounded Monday evening in a shooting in Beech Grove, prompting a statewide Blue Alert and an extensive manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large.
The fallen officer has been identified as 33-year-old Brian Elliott of the Beech Grove Police Department (BGPD). A second officer, whose name has not been released, was also shot and is reported to be in stable condition and expected to survive.
The Indiana State Police (ISP) has issued a Blue Alert for 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson in connection with the shooting.
Johnson is described as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities say he was last seen wearing a royal blue sweatshirt and blue pants. His last known location was in Beech Grove, southeast of downtown Indianapolis, at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Johnson is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement officials are urging the public not to approach him. Anyone who sees Johnson is instructed to contact ISP’s Indianapolis District at (317) 899-8577 or call 911 immediately.
According to ISP Sgt. John Perrine, Johnson is wanted for his alleged involvement in injuring a law enforcement officer.
Police were initially dispatched at approximately 5:37 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court in response to a reported disturbance inside an apartment unit. Minutes later, at approximately 5:45 p.m., the call was upgraded to a “gunshot scene unsafe.”
Authorities allege that Johnson opened fire on two Beech Grove officers as they responded to the disturbance. The suspect then fled the area on foot, triggering a large-scale law enforcement response.
Around 6:10 p.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) shut down Emerson Avenue from Churchman Avenue to Interstate 465 as officers searched for the suspect. Residents were advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Law enforcement deployed helicopters, K-9 units, and additional resources as part of the ongoing search.
The shooting occurred near Beech Grove High School, prompting an immediate lockdown of the campus. Although classes had already been dismissed for the day, students were still on site for after-school activities, including sports practices.
School administrators confirmed that all students and staff who were present during the lockdown remained safe and were later reunited with their families. In a statement, school officials indicated that law enforcement had searched and cleared the building.
Beech Grove City Schools plans to hold in-person classes as scheduled on Tuesday, pending any updated guidance from law enforcement. Counselors and support staff will be available to assist students and staff impacted by the traumatic event.
In a message to families, school administrators expressed sympathy for the injured officers and their families and encouraged the community to support one another.
In a statement, Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice confirmed that Officer Brian Elliott was fatally wounded during the response.
According to Chief Maurice, Elliott and two other officers were dispatched at approximately 6:08 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court for a disturbance. Upon arrival, Elliott and another officer were shot.
Both officers were transported to Eskenazi Hospital. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Officer Elliott succumbed to his injuries. The second officer remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Elliott had served with BGPD for two years and previously worked with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. He was described as a lifelong member of the Beech Grove community who had long aspired to serve as a local police officer.
“My heart goes out to Brian’s wife, Erin, his parents, and all of his family, friends, and loved ones,” Chief Maurice said. “At this time, I am asking that we lean on one another to get through this. We are grateful to the team at Eskenazi Hospital, and our law enforcement and community partners for their extraordinary response and support.”
According to Indiana State Police, a Blue Alert is a statewide notification system used to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or gone missing in the line of duty. The alert can also be used to provide information about suspects believed to be responsible for injuring or killing an officer.
As of the latest update, Kenneth Terrell Johnson remains at large. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
This remains an active investigation, and additional details are expected as they become available.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Three people, including the suspected gunman, died Monday afternoon after a parent allegedly opened fire on family members during a high school Senior Night hockey game at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.
Three additional victims remain in critical condition as authorities continue to investigate what officials have described as an isolated, family-related act of violence.
The suspected shooter has been identified by sources as Robert K. Dorgan, 56, of North Providence, who was also known as Roberta Esposito.
Authorities have not yet formally released the name of the suspect. According to individuals with direct knowledge of the investigation, Dorgan was the parent of a North Providence High School senior who was playing in the game at the time of the shooting.
Investigators allege that the suspect opened fire from the rink’s spectator stands at approximately 2:30 p.m. before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation report that the suspect’s ex-wife, who was also the mother of the student athlete, was fatally shot at the scene. The couple’s adult daughter later died at the hospital.
Three additional family members were transported to Rhode Island Hospital with critical injuries, according to a spokesperson for Brown Health.
As of Monday evening, authorities had not publicly released the names of the victims.
A source who spoke to Channel 2 NOW stated they had previously played hockey with one of the suspect’s sons, who was reportedly among those targeted but not physically injured. Officials have not confirmed that detail.
Authorities emphasized that the violence stemmed from a domestic dispute and that there was no ongoing threat to the broader public.
The shooting occurred during a Senior Night high school matchup between the Coventry–Johnston cooperative team and the Blackstone Valley Schools co-op team, which includes players from St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day School, and the public school districts of North Providence and North Smithfield.
The student whose family members were involved in the shooting was on the ice at the time and was not physically harmed.
Witnesses told local media outlets that the suspect entered the arena carrying two pink-colored firearms and a holster. Some initially believed the weapons were not real. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details as the investigation remains ongoing.
Video captured from a livestream of the game shows play on the ice being abruptly interrupted by rapid gunfire, apparently originating from the stands. At least 14 shots can be heard fired in quick succession, followed by one or two additional shots approximately 10 seconds later.
Players and spectators are seen scrambling off the ice and fleeing the seating area as panic spread throughout the arena.
The shooting triggered a significant law enforcement response, with police vehicles quickly surrounding the arena. Officers secured the scene and began an immediate investigation.
Shortly after the incident, numerous hockey players were observed standing outside the facility, some still wearing socks after removing their skates, before being transported from the area and reunited with their families.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien described the event as tragic.
“What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students, and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night, was instead marked by violence and fear,” Grebien said in a statement. He characterized the shooting as an isolated incident and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
“Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning,” he added. “We will stand together to support all those affected in the difficult days ahead.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also addressed the tragedy, encouraging anyone in need of mental health assistance to call 988. He announced that additional counseling resources would be made available to students and families impacted by the shooting.
“Our state is grieving again,” McKee said. “As governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”
Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that agents from the FBI’s Boston Division responded to Pawtucket and are assisting state and local authorities with the investigation.
“We will provide state and local law enforcement any and all resources necessary and keep the public updated as we are able,” Patel wrote in a statement.
School officials moved swiftly to account for students. Providence Country Day School Head of School Kevin Folan informed families that all students, parents, and staff from the school who attended the game were safe.
Johnston school officials also confirmed that all of their students were accounted for.
Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart provided updates to families throughout the afternoon, first confirming that all district students were safe and later stating that they had been reunited with their loved ones. He noted that mental health resources would be made available to hockey players and families affected by the incident.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the events that transpired inside the arena and the suspect’s actions prior to opening fire. Officials have reiterated that this appears to have been a targeted, domestic incident.
Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.