Three face felony charges in shooting of judges—including one of the judges

Felony charges have been filed against three men involved in a high-profile shooting incident in downtown Indianapolis that sent two visiting judges to the hospital with gunshot wounds. And those charged include one of the judges.

Charges against Clark Circuit Judge Andrew Adams and Indianapolis residents Brandon Kaiser and Alfredo Vazquez were filed Friday.

Adams was charged with two counts of felony battery, four counts of misdemeanor battery and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Vazquez, 24, received the same charges, while Kaiser, 41, also is facing felony counts of aggravated battery and carrying a handgun without a license.

The charging decision came nearly two months after Adams and Clark Circuit Judge Brad Jacobs were shot around 3:25 a.m. on May 1 outside a White Castle restaurant at 55 W. South St. The two judges were in Indianapolis to attend the Spring Judicial Conference. Published reports said they had been to several bars before the incident, including the nearby Red Garter Gentleman's Club.

Jacobs was left in critical condition and Adams was in serious but stable condition after the shooting. Both survived and returned to their Clark County homes to recover a little more than two weeks after the shooting. Other than a few text messages from Jacobs to some of his friends, the judges have not spoken publicly.

Kaiser and Vazquez, were arrested a few days later for their alleged roles in the shooting. However, after appearing in court, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to press charges and the two men were released.

Since then, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry has remained tight lipped about the case, saying only that the investigation into the incident was continuing. He held a press conference Friday to discuss the charges.

The charging decision came as a result of two separate grand jury investigations, Curry said Friday. Curry declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Adams' charges, citing grand jury confidentiality. 

“We appreciate those in the public, media, and the involved parties for their patience in this matter," Curry said in a written statement. "Progress in the investigation did not halt on May 10, but rather entered into a strictly confidential phase in order to present a fair and thorough investigation to two independent Marion County Grand Juries.”

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications on Friday said it filed a formal notice to have Jacobs suspended with pay.

The prosecutor's office said it determined that all four individuals in the incident could potentially be considered suspects of a crime, but a Marion County Grand Jury declined to file charges against Jacobs.

Specific charges against Adams and Vazquez:

• Two counts of Level 6 felony battery resulting in moderate bodily injury
• Two counts of Class A misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury
• Two counts of Class B misdemeanor battery
• One count of Class B misdemeanor disorderly conduct by engaging in fighting or tumultuous conduct.

The charges against Kaiser, believed to be the main shooter:

• Two counts of Level 3 felony aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death
• Two counts of Level 3 felony aggravated battery resulting in loss or impairment of a bodily function
• Two counts of Level 5 felony battery by means of a deadly weapon
• Two counts of Level 6 felony battery resulting in moderate bodily injury
• Two counts of Class A misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury
• One count of Class A misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license
• Two counts of Class B misdemeanor battery
• Class B misdemeanor disorderly conduct by engaging in fighting or tumultuous conduct.