Holly MatkinIndianapolis, IN – The gunman accused of murdering Terra Haute Police Department Detective Greg Ferency in an ambush attack outside a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building in 2021 has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Det. Ferency was assigned to an FBI task force at the time of his murder, according to The Indianapolis Star.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of 45-year-old Shane Meehan on Jan. 19, WTHI reported.
Meehan faces charges of murder of a federal officer, using a firearm during a crime of violence causing death, and attempted arson of federal property in connection with the attack, according to The Indianapolis Star.
The firearms and murder charges are both capital-eligible offenses punishable by death or life in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“This indictment is another step forward in bringing resolution to the ambush of Task Force Officer Greg Ferency, who was one of 73 law enforcement officers intentionally killed in the line of duty last year, and one of three of our own FBI family to lose their lives at the hands of others,” FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Nelsen told WTHI.
“We continue to mourn Greg’s tragic loss and are reminded every day of the ultimate sacrifice he made while serving his community and country,” SAC Nelsen said. “We are committed to a thorough and meticulous investigation to bring resolution to this case and ensure accountability.”
The fatal shooting occurred outside the FBI Indianapolis Resident Agency near First Street and Wabash Court at approximately 2:15 p.m. on July 7, 2021, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
According to court records, Meehan drove to the federal building and hurled a Molotov cocktail at it, then shot Det. Ferency when he came outside, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Agents ran to help the fallen detective and returned fire, striking the suspect before he fled the scene.
Investigators tracked him down at Vigo County Regional Hospital after he showed up there suffering from two gunshot wounds, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Meehan underwent surgery and survived.
Investigators said they recovered three Molotov cocktails, a gun, and additional ammunition during a search of Meehan’s vehicle, according to The Indianapolis Star.
Det. Ferency was rushed to Union Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Tribune-Star reported.
He left behind his two adult children, according to WTHR.
Det. Ferency served the Terre Haute Police Department (THPD) for 30 years and had been assigned to the FBI Task Force for 11 years, according to The Indianapolis Star.
Many of the fallen detective’s cases involved criminal networks, human trafficking, and illegal narcotics, the Tribune-Star reported.
Det. Ferency also gave presentations to the public regarding human trafficking and penned a book in 2003 discussing the culture of the illegal drug trade and drug enforcement.
“We’re used to taking those types of risks as law enforcement officers, all of us are. When we’re conducting arrests, doing searches, etc., but to have somebody come, as you say, to our front door and commit this kind of act is a step beyond and affects us all immensely,” FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan told WTHR shortly after the attack. “It’s a small office, a tight-knit group of people, so it’s definitely a difficult situation.”
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter described the veteran detective as “a good man,” WRTV reported.
“We lost a true public servant today and I don’t say that as a cliche statement,” Superintendent Carter said at the time. “We owe Greg a debt of gratitude that will likely never be able to be repaid.”
“It’s not a good time to be a police officer in America,” he added. “But this is an example of someone who would die for someone who hates who they are. We’re not bad people.”
Meehan’s motive for the attack has not been released.
