A Marion County judge on Monday sentenced Eriana Morris to three and a half years in prison in a case that started with a chaotic police chase near Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 22, 2023. Morris, who was pregnant when officers shot her during the stop and later gave birth in December 2023, was also ordered to complete 18 months of probation after her release.
According to WTHR, Morris pleaded guilty in November 2025 to conspiracy to commit armed robbery under a plea agreement that dismissed a separate armed-robbery charge. The deal limited how much of her sentence could be served behind bars. At Monday’s hearing, the judge ultimately imposed three and a half years in prison followed by a year and a half of probation.
What Happened The Night Of The Chase
The case began in the 2200 block of South Shelby Street, where police say a man robbed a Dollar General and then took off in a silver Buick. Detectives later tracked that vehicle to the area near Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police used a grappler device to bring the car to a stop on South Missouri Street, and body-worn and security video released afterward shows the passenger, identified as Ricktez Williams, firing at officers from inside the vehicle before officers shot back, according to WRTV.
Both people in the car were taken to nearby hospitals. Williams later died, and Morris was critically injured after being struck multiple times by police gunfire. Video released at the time shows officers using the grappler to pin the vehicle and then the rapid exchange of shots that followed. Local reporting said the officers who fired were placed on administrative leave while the investigations moved forward.
Sentence And Plea Deal
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the armed-robbery count and Morris admitted to a conspiracy charge in return for a shorter executed sentence. The Marion County judge then ordered her to serve three and a half years in prison, followed by 18 months of probation at Monday’s sentencing hearing, WTHR reports.
Review And Next Steps
The shooting is still under criminal and administrative review. The department’s Critical Incident Response unit handled the criminal investigation, while Internal Affairs launched a separate administrative probe, and the civilian Use of Force Review Board is also set to examine what happened that night.
Local coverage notes that the officers involved were placed on administrative leave as standard procedure while those reviews play out. With Morris’s court case now resolved through the plea and sentencing, the criminal matter is largely wrapped up for prosecutors, but the shooting and the tactics officers used remain under scrutiny from city officials and residents. Investigators say the ongoing reviews will determine whether any further policy changes or disciplinary action are warranted.
