Seventeen-year-old Zerryon Patton is facing a stack of charges after Indianapolis police say a routine traffic stop on May 21 turned chaotic, ending with shots fired, a rollover crash into an apartment building, and the teen suffering what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg as he ran from officers.
Prosecutors with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed multiple counts on May 26, including dangerous possession of a firearm and resisting law enforcement, according to WIBC 93.1 FM. Court documents cited by the station also indicate Patton faces separate adult charges out of Hamilton County from last September, including possession of a machine gun. He is scheduled for a Marion County court appearance on May 29.
Investigators told WIBC 93.1 FM they believe Patton shot himself while running away, and that officers found him with a gunshot wound to his leg when he was taken into custody. Police say Patton bailed from the vehicle after the attempted stop, and the pursuit pulled in units from both Indianapolis and Carmel.
How Investigators Say the Stop Escalated
Officers say they tried to pull the vehicle over on the south side on May 21, but Patton took off on foot, triggering a short chase. During the incident, the vehicle reportedly rolled and came to rest against an apartment building. There have been no public reports of injuries to residents. Detectives are now reviewing body-worn camera footage along with other evidence as they finish assembling the charging packet.
Prosecutors’ Approach in Juvenile Gun Cases
The Marion County filing tracks with a recent pattern of aggressive charging in juvenile gun cases, particularly when weapons are involved or suspects run from officers, as reported by WRTV. Earlier this month, that outlet noted prosecutors brought charges in a downtown mass-shooting case that included at least one 17-year-old charged as an adult.
Legal Next Steps
Patton is presumed innocent and will be represented in court. His May 29 appearance in Marion County is expected to cover arraignment and initial hearings. If prosecutors move to have any of the Marion County counts handled in adult court, separate hearings would decide that issue, while the Hamilton County case will continue on its own track.
