Special Judge Appointment
January 26, 2026
After the arrest of five individuals related to the shooting of a Tippecanoe County judge, a request for a special judge has been made to the Indiana Supreme Court. The request is handled by the Court’s administrative office. An order appointing a special judge is expected today.
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush signed an order (26S-SJ-20) appointing Cass County Superior Court 2 Judge Lisa Swaim. The Judicial Code of Conduct prevents the special judge from answering questions about the case.
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Office of Communication, Education, and Outreach (OCEO) will assist the special judge with media liaison efforts as she concentrates on the case. To ensure the fair administration of justice for the defendants and appropriate access for media, the judge will be entering a decorum order. In addition to case information available through mycase.in.gov, scheduling and procedural information will be provided to press through OCEO.
In Tippecanoe Superior Court 2, cases will move forward. The Supreme Court has approved (26S-MS-19) a senior/pro tempore judge to handle cases.
Media from Court Security Webinar
January 23, 2026
The following photograph and video clip are from a webinar hosted by Chief Justice Loretta Rush on January 23, 2026. The topic of the webinar was court security in the wake of the recent shooting of Judge Steven Meyer and his wife. Tippecanoe Judge Sean Persin also appears in the video, filmed in Judge Meyer's courtroom in Lafayette, Indiana. This clip is made available to the public as a courtesy.
Photo of Chief Justice Rush and Judge Sean Persin during webinar
Video of Chief Justice Rush statement during Court Security Webinar
Addressing judicial security as trial judge and wife recover from shooting
Today, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush hosted a security webinar for Indiana judges. Nearly 200 judges joined Chief Justice Rush, Tippecanoe County Circuit Court Judge Sean Persin, and security expert James Hamilton for a 30-minute live discussion.
Read the January 23 press release
Statement by Judge Steve Meyer
Issued January 21, 2026
I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues, and law enforcement. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my medical team. I am receiving excellent care and I am improving. Kim is also deeply appreciative for the community support, and she too is healing.
I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes. I remain confident we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.
Photo of Tippecanoe Judge Meyer
Statement by Tippecanoe County Judges
Issued January 19, 2026
First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Judge Meyer and his wife, Kim.
Judge Meyer remains in a hospital in stable condition. We have already been in touch with the Indiana Supreme Court and Chief Justice Loretta Rush and senior judges regarding coverage for Tippecanoe Superior Court No. 2. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support from judges throughout the state offering to assist in any way. We want to assure the community that the cases in Tippecanoe Superior Court No. 2 will continue to be heard in a timely manner.
Statement by Chief Justice Rush
Sent to Indiana judges on January 18, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 Judge Steve Meyer is a fellow judge and a longtime friend. I am deeply grateful he and his wife Kim are alive after having been shot in their home. Their health and well-being are of utmost concern to me.
As of the sending of this message, the shooter is purportedly still at large. Please be in contact with your local sheriff.
I worry about the safety of all our judges. As you work to peacefully resolve more than 1 million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe. Any violence against a judge or a judge's family is completely unacceptable. As public servants, you are dedicated to the rule of law.
I know you join me in praying for Steve and Kim and their speedy recovery. Meantime, please remain vigilant in your own security.
Loretta H. Rush
Chief Justice of Indiana