Indiana judge and wife allegedly shot by 'high ranking' gang member facing trial in victim's court

Indiana

Indiana judge and wife allegedly shot by 'high ranking' gang member facing trial in victim's court

Steven Meyer was set to preside over jury trial for Thomas Moss, alleged high-ranking member of Phantom Motorcycle Club gang

Adam Sabes Fox News

Published

January 23, 2026 3:27pm EST

Video

Suspected gunman uttered 4 words before shooting Indiana judge and wife: dispatch audio

The gunman who wounded a judge and his wife in a shooting in Indiana, spoke to the victims before opening fire, according to dispatch audio. (Credit: Image: Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images; Audio: Broadcastify)

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The Lafayette Police Department announced in a news release that five people were arrested after Judge Steven Meyer and his wife Kimberly were shot at their home on Sunday. One of the suspects arrested in the shooting of the Indiana judge and his wife was set to stand trial in the judge’s own courtroom days later, records show.

Thomas Moss, 43, Blake Smith, 32, and Amanda Milsap, 45, all from Lafayette, Ind., as well Raylen Ferguson, 38, and Zenada Greer, 61, both from Lexington, Ky., were all arrested in connection with the shooting. The couple is in stable condition, according to police.

Dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital shows that the shooter allegedly knocked on the door of Judge Steven Meyer and his wife Kimberly Meyer's home around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, then fired gunshots through the door. Before firing the gun, the suspect said, "We have your dog," according to the audio.

One day after the shooting, law enforcement learned that Smith previously bought a firearm matching the one used in the attack, according to a probable cause affidavit. A partial serial number was found on the firearm.

Smith, according to officials, is an associate of Moss, who's a "high-ranking member" of the Indiana chapter of the Phantom Motorcycle Club, which they describe as a gang. Moss was also previously involved with the Vice Lord gang, according to court documents. Prosecutors say that Smith is also part of the Phantom Motorcycle Club.

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Images of suspects who were arrested in investigation into shooting of Indiana judge

The Lafayette Police Department said, left to right, Thomas Moss, Raylen Ferguson, Amanda Milsap and Zenada Greer were arrested following the shooting of judge Steven Meyer and his wife Kimberly in Lafayette, Ind., on Jan. 18, 2026. Blake Smith, who was also taken into custody, is not pictured. (Lafayette Police Department/Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Smith and Moss have both had cases being heard by Judge Meyer, according to records.

Moss was scheduled to appear in court two days after the shooting officer for a jury trial that Meyer was presiding over, regarding charges dating back to 2024.

In June 2024, court records show Moss was charged with three felony counts of domestic battery, three felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two felony counts of intimidation and felony criminal recklessness.

INDIANA JUDGE SHOOTING LEAVES ‘LONG LIST’ OF POTENTIAL SUSPECTS DAYS INTO MANHUNT: DEFENSE ATTORNEY

An Indiana judge and his wife were wounded in a Lafayette shooting Sunday afternoon as local, state and federal authorities investigate. (Tippecanoe Superior Court)

On June 19, 2024, Moss's ex-wife, who he was living with at the time, told police that Moss hit her with a broomstick in the back of her leg, court documents show. After allegedly hitting her on the back of her leg, Moss said "he would hit her harder the next time if she did not follow his instructions," the court records show. One day later, the woman told police that Moss said she was a slave and threatened to "hit her in the head."

In an October 2022 incident, Moss’s ex-wife alleged that he fired shots into the floor after their son became upset about having to help them get back into the residence because they were locked out. Police said that officers found several bullet holes in a closet behind the living room and in the bathroom. The ex-wife told police that Moss had several firearms inside the house.

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An Indiana judge and his wife were wounded in a Lafayette shooting Sunday afternoon as local, state and federal authorities investigate. (Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | Indiana.gov)

Moss's ex-girlfriend claimed that Milsap offered her $10,000 on behalf of Moss and a gang not to testify in the upcoming hearing.

Moss has a lengthy criminal record with convictions including battery resulting in serious bodily injury, criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and criminal trespass, police said in earlier court documents.

Adam Sabes is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.

Indiana judge and wife allegedly shot by 'high ranking' gang member facing trial in victim's court