City-County Councilor Arrested After Scuffle

INDIANAPOLIS -- A City-County Council member was arrested Sunday evening after a scuffle at a house on Indianapolis' west side, police said.

Doris Minton-McNeill, 51, was taken into custody on preliminary charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.

Indianapolis Metro police said she called 911 from her home in the 2000 block of Medford Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday about a man with a knife who she said was a sexual predator.

When officers arrived, they talked with a woman who they claimed appeared to have been drinking and was somewhat agitated.

They said the woman ran back into the house, knocking Officer Emily Perkins to the ground and causing a minor injury to Perkins’ wrist.

"The officer was standing on the sidewalk, or ... some kind of portal on the back of the house, and the female ran toward the house and didn't run around the officer, but made contact with the officer in an attempt to what they believe was to get back into the house," said IMPD Sgt. Paul Thompson.

As the woman was being arrested, she identified herself as Minton-McNeill and as a member of the City-County Council.

Minton-McNeill, a Democrat, represents District 15 on the council, the seat formerly held by Andre Carson before he was elected to Congress in March.

Marion County Republican Tom John issued a statement Sunday night calling for Minton-McNeill to resign.

"The citizens of Indianapolis demand leaders who are servants of the law, not people who think they are above it," John said.

Authorities said the original complaint that brought them to the house involved a man Minton-McNeill's father had invited there to do some type of repair work. He was not there when officers arrived.

Minton-McNeill was released on her own recognizance after the arrest.