Five people have been arrested following a shooting incident involving an Indiana judge and his wife, with police linking the attack to an upcoming domestic violence trial. The arrests include charges of attempted murder, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice, highlighting a complex criminal conspiracy.
Details of the Arrests and Charges
Judge Steven Meyer, aged 66, and his wife Kimberly were shot inside their home in Lafayette, a small city approximately 63 miles northwest of Indianapolis, on Sunday. The Lafayette Police Department has charged three individuals with serious offenses: 38-year-old Raylen Ferguson, 43-year-old Thomas Moss, and 32-year-old Blake Smith face attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, among other crimes. Additionally, 45-year-old Amanda Milsap and 61-year-old Zenada Greer have been charged with less severe offenses, including obstructing justice and bribery.
Connection to Domestic Violence Case
Court records reveal that Thomas Moss was a defendant in a domestic violence case being heard in Judge Meyer's court. His jury trial was scheduled to begin just two days after the shooting. Investigators believe the motive for the attack was to impede this trial. According to documents obtained by WTHR, Amanda Milsap allegedly offered Moss's ex-wife $10,000 not to testify in the case, with the offer made days after the shooting.
Investigation Findings and Gang Links
Police identified Raylen Ferguson as the individual who fired multiple shots into the closed front door of the Meyers' home. Judge Meyer sustained an arm injury, while Kimberly was hit in the hip; both suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are now in stable condition. Blake Smith was described in court records as a high-ranking member of the Indiana chapter of the Phantom Motorcycle Club, a known gang. Smith purchased a gun on January 5 that matched one found near the crime scene, with a partial serial number also recovered.
Through prior investigations, police established that Smith is a known associate of Moss, though it remains unclear if Moss or Ferguson are members of the Phantom Motorcycle Club. Zenada Greer was connected to all three men on social media, and court records indicate she was in the car Ferguson was driving on the day of the shooting. The charges against Smith, Ferguson, and Moss include a gang enhancement due to the alleged involvement of the Phantom Motorcycle Club, which was the subject of a federal racketeering investigation in 2015, resulting in convictions and lengthy prison sentences for six members.
Pre-Shooting Suspicious Activity and Evidence
Judge Meyer and his wife reported suspicious activity two days before the shooting, when a man knocked on their door claiming to deliver food despite no order being placed. Meyer did not open the door and told the man he had the wrong house. Surveillance footage led investigators to believe this man had the same distinct pattern/cadence as Ferguson when he allegedly approached the front door on the day of the shooting. Additionally, a silicon mask found near the scene tested positive for Ferguson's DNA, according to the Indiana State Police Laboratory.
Background of the Domestic Violence Case
The domestic violence case against Thomas Moss, which he allegedly tried to circumvent, dates back to June 2024. Moss was charged with multiple felonies, including domestic battery, unlawful possession of a firearm, intimidation, and criminal recklessness. According to court records obtained by Fox News, Moss's ex-wife reported that he hit her with a broomstick and threatened her, and she alleged he fired a gun into the floor during a dispute in October 2022. Moss has prior convictions for battery resulting in serious bodily injury and other offenses.
Judicial Response and Next Steps
In a statement following the shooting, Judge Meyer expressed his continued confidence in the judicial system, stating, This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes. I remain confident we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush announced that her office has requested a special judge to oversee the criminal proceedings against the five defendants, as the case is being heard in Meyer's courtroom and he cannot preside over it as a victim. The special judge is expected to be appointed on Monday.
