Woman Charged After Gun Incident at Indianapolis Store
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a 21-year-old accused of threatening employees with a firearm.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Crime — General
Tamya Staten has been charged with felony intimidation and pointing a firearm following an incident at a local retail store. She allegedly brandished a handgun at staff members after an employee enforced store policies regarding children playing with toys.
Why it matters
The case highlights the dangers faced by retail workers when enforcing workplace policies and the subsequent legal consequences for those who respond with violence. If convicted on all charges, the suspect faces a potential sentence of up to 8.5 years in prison.
Charges were officially filed on September 29 in Marion Superior Court 31 against 21-year-old Tamya Staten. A warrant remains active for her arrest following the July 16 incident.
The players
Tamya Staten
She is the 21-year-old suspect charged with felony intimidation and pointing a firearm following a confrontation at a retail store.
Marion Superior Court 31
This is the local judicial body where criminal charges were filed and the arrest warrant for the suspect was issued.
The details
Staten allegedly pulled a large black handgun from her leggings and pointed it at employees after being confronted about children playing with store inventory. Police identified the suspect using a transaction record that included her ID card and license plate information, which were captured on store surveillance footage.
Timeline
July 16: The incident occurred at the Once Upon a Child store on 86th Street.
September 29: Charges were officially filed against Tamya Staten in court.
Legal Context
This case follows the established enforcement of Indiana's pointing a firearm statute, which serves as the legal framework for prosecuting individuals who brandish weapons in public. The filing reflects how local prosecutors prioritize the use of surveillance and ID evidence to pursue felony charges for workplace violence.
Local business owners and retail employees in the area are often reminded of the importance of security protocols like silent holdup alarms when dealing with aggressive customers. Residents should be aware that police utilize store transaction records and surveillance footage as primary tools to identify suspects in local criminal investigations.
The takeaway
Retailers frequently rely on customer identification provided during transactions to assist law enforcement in building criminal cases. Employees facing hostile situations are encouraged to utilize silent alarms to ensure a prompt official response.
Further reading
For more information on local legal updates, visit Crime — General.
