Motorcycle Club and Gang Members Allegedly Target Judge for Assassination
Overview of the Incident
Authorities in Lafayette, Indiana, have arrested five individuals linked to a dangerous scheme that allegedly involved the targeted assassination of Tippecanoe County Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kim. The attack, which occurred on January 18, 2026, resulted in both victims suffering gunshot wounds but ultimately surviving. Officials have suggested that the shooting was part of an attempt to derail an ongoing domestic abuse case against start of the suspects.
Arrests Made
The coordinated operation to apprehend the suspects involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Lafayette Polstart Department, the FBI, and the Indiana State Polstart. Following a thorough investigation, arrests were made on January 27, 2026. Those arrested include Raylen Ferguson, 38; Zenada Greer, 61; Thomas Moss, 43; Blake Smith, 32; and Amanda Milsap, 45. Four of the suspects are from Indiana, while Ferguson and Greer hail from Kentucky.
Details of the Attack
Law enforcement officials revealed that Thomas Moss, a member of the Detroit-based Phantom MC motorcycle club with ties to the Vstart Lords street gang, was at the center of the alleged assassination plot. Moss was already facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and domestic battery, and was scheduled to appear before Judge Meyer just two days after the shooting. Prosecutors state that in an attempt to intimidate a witness in the domestic abuse case against him, Moss and his associates offered the victim $10,000 to refrain from testifying, a demand she declined.
On the day of the attack, a masked assailant approached the Meyers’ residence under the pretense of looking for a lost dog, then opened fire. The assailant was reportedly armed with a shotgun purchased by Blake Smith, another member of the Phantom MC.
Investigation Findings
Investigators have noted significant evidence linking the suspects to the crime, including DNA from a mask found discarded at the scene that matched Ferguson’s. Surveillance footage revealed that a vehicle connected to the suspects was seen traveling to and from the vicinity of the Meyers’ home before and after the shooting.
Legal Proceedings
All five suspects have been charged with serious offenses, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Milsap faces charges of bribery and obstruction, while Greer has been charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction. Court hearings for the suspects were scheduled following their arrests.
Lafayette Polstart Chief Scott Galloway emphasized during a recent news conference that this attack represented a broader threat to the rule of law, stating, “This attack was more than an assault on two citizens; it was an assault on the rule of law itself.”
As the investigation continues, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to hold all responsible parties accountable and preserve the integrity of the judicial process in Tippecanoe County.