Death penalty sought in slaying of IMPD officer Breann Leath

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking the death penalty against the man charged with the murder of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Breann Leath.

Elliahs Dorsey, 27, is accused of fatally shooting Leath on April 9, 2020, while she and three other officers were responding to a disturbance call involving Dorsey in the 1800 block of Edinburgh Square.

Before officers made verbal contact with anyone inside the apartment, officers called "shot fired" and "officer down" on their radios. Police said someone fired shots through the door, hitting Leath and another woman at the apartment.

While the other woman survived her injuries, Leath did not.

Dorsey was arrested and formally charged on April 14. 

IndyStar has reached out to Dorsey's legal counsel asking for comment on the death penalty request.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the announcement from the prosecutor's office marks an opportunity to remember Leath's contributions to Indianapolis.

"She was committed to her community and giving back," the statement reads. "She was committed to helping victims of domestic violence. She was committed to running towards danger when others would run away."

"Officer Breann Leath will always represent the spirit of IMPD and will always be remembered.”

The aggravating circumstance cited for the death penalty request is that Dorsey shot Leath while she was "acting in the course of duty as a law enforcement officer," officials said.

Dorsey is currently facing charges of murder, criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, battery and four counts of attempted murder.

This story will be updated.

IndyStar reporter Johnny Magdaleno contributed.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.