‘Red flag’ hearing set for Lafayette man accused of offering guns to kill police
Plus, Lafayette prepares $12M in bonds for South Ninth Street project. And more
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‘RED FLAG’ HEARING SET FOR LAFAYETTE MAN ACCUSED OF OFFERING GUNS TO ANYONE WILLING TO KILL POLICE OFFICERS
Guns found at the Lafayette home of a man accused of posting threats against police on social media and offering to provide firearms to others willing to kill law enforcement officer may be confiscated until a “red flag” hearing set for next week, a judge ruled Thursday.
Superior Court 5 Judge Kristen McVey granted a request filed Thursday by prosecutors to seize the firearms of Scott Pruitt, 57, of Lafayette, who was arrested Sunday night.
According to court documents filed earlier this week, Pruitt was accused of making a series of threats, dating to 2025, about ambushing police officers and trying to get others to do the same.
Pruitt’s arrest, near the intersection of Earl Avenue and Kossuth Street, came as police had started a manhunt for the person who went to the Lafayette home of Judge Steve Meyer and shot him and his wife, Kim, through their front door. Police have not connected Pruitt to that crime and have not named suspects, announced arrests or offered additional details into Sunday’s shooting.
No charges have been filed against Pruitt, though a judge increased his bond earlier this week after prosecutor filed an emergency motion to him and give them until the end of the week to decide whether to charge him. Pruitt was being held, as of Thursday, in Tippecanoe County Jail, with a bond set at $100,000.
Prosecutors filed for a hearing under Indiana’s red flag law, which lays out several scenarios when guns may be taken from an owner, including from someone “who presents an imminent risk of personal injury to the individual or to another individual.” The law requires a court hearing within 14 days.
Court documents filed Thursday include three police reports that were not available to view by the public.
According to Indiana State Police, an investigation started Friday, Jan. 16, into Pruitt, based on information from an FBI tip line about threats made on social media accounts.
Court documents filed by the Tippecanoe County prosecutor Tuesday contend that Pruitt was behind a Facebook account that claimed that on Saturday, Jan. 17, the account owner would be ambushing law enforcement officers. Court documents say Pruitt stated on social media that some law enforcement officers would not make it home that night. The court documents say the Facebook account also described the home of a local police officer and offered to “provide firearms to anyone who wishes to kill law enforcement officers.”
According to Tuesday’s court documents, the FBI interviewed Pruitt in February 2025 after similar threats were posted to another social media account.
The court documents also contend that Pruitt called the Lafayette mayor’s office on Dec. 19 and twice on Jan. 8, leaving voice messages with complaints about police officers and threatening them, including wishing that an officer would be killed in a vehicle crash.
A hearing on the seizure of Pruitt’s guns will be Jan. 30, according to court records.
ON THE MANHUNT FOR SUSPECTS IN JUDGE’S SHOOTING
Police offered no additional information, as of Thursday evening, into the investigation into Sunday’s shooting attack on Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim.
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CITY PREPARES $12M IN BONDS FOR SOUTH NINTH STREET WORK: The first phase of reconstructing South Ninth Street, between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Ortman lane is expected to start this spring and stretch into 2027, city officials said Thursday.
On Thursday, the Lafayette Redevelopment Commission cleared the way for a $12 million bond issue to pay for work. The project will include widening South Ninth Street to three lanes, replacing a bridge over Elliott Ditch and building a mini-roundabout at the intersection with Ortman Lane. The plans include a trail along the west side of the street. The project also will include sewer work.
During construction, that stretch of South Ninth Street will be closed, with local access only, Jeromy Grenard, city engineer, said.
The second phase of the South Street project, from Ortman Lane to Brick-N-Wood Drive, just south of Twyckenham Boulevard, is expected to start in 2027.
The redevelopment commission also added a plan to rebuild Poland Hill Road, from Fourth Street/Teal Road to Beck Lane, expected to start in 2028. The project would include reworking a set of S-curves on Poland Hill Road, new pedestrian features, improved railroad crossing and a roundabout at Poland Hill Road and Beck Lane.
LAFAYETTE BICENTENNIAL SCULPTURE UPDATE: With a new Lafayette Bicentennial sculpture in place at South Ninth and South streets since November, Dennis Carson, the city’s economic development director, said the city is waiting for warmer weather to complete sidewalks and other parts of the installation. Asked by the redevelopment commission for an update Thursday, Carson said he was aiming for completion and a dedication by April.
The city commissioned the piece for $500,000 from sculptor Cliff Garten in September 2024, selecting the work from two dozen proposals submitted ahead of Lafayette’s 200th birthday in 2025. Garten had described the piece as “an archway that could serve as the ‘frame’ of a stage or as the focal point for city events” and that “draws inspiration from the Wabash River and its significance for Lafayette’s history.” As it was being pieced together in November, Carson said the city raised $943,400 in private donations that cover the cost of the sculpture, site work and maintenance endowment. He said no tax money was used on the project.
Among the features:
The word “Lafayette” was cut into the pinnacle of the sculpture’s arches, illuminated like a glowing lightbox.
The sculpture features excerpts from the first verse and chorus of “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” by Indiana native Paul Dresser and the state of Indiana, laser etched into the piece.
From the artists’ description of the shape: “The dynamic topology of the sculpture offers myriad experiences. As people approach it from afar, it is perceived as two dynamic lines that overlap and seem to shift in relation to one another. As they get closer the sculptures’ archways become the focal point, inviting pedestrians to traverse under them. Once inside, the sculpture becomes a framing device that encompasses all your surrounding views.”
SONGWRITER SCHOLARSHIP ON THE LINE: The Lafayette-based Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana is taking entries from songwriters between the ages of 14 and 19 for its annual Shirley Martin Scholarship. Now in its 26th year, the winners receive a cash award and get professional studio time. For more information, including some of the songs of past winners, go to www.samisong.com and choose the scholarship tab. The application deadline is April 2.
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I'm not blaming you Dave, but it seems nobody can create a decent map in government it seems...