Bodycam Shows Man Fatally Shot By Cops Swinging Bat At Officer

 Evansville, Indiana — Police released video footage on Wednesday that captures the fatal shooting of a man who attacked a police officer with a baseball bat outside a federal courthouse. 

The incident occurred Tuesday morning, July 29, 2025, in front of the Winfield K. Denton Federal Building in downtown Evansville. According to authorities, the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Ricky Ard, was shot and killed after advancing on an officer with a weapon in hand.

Security footage released by the Evansville Police Department shows Ard smashing the glass of two front doors at the federal building. The video captures him pacing outside the entrance, swinging a bat, and appearing agitated. Courthouse security officers drew their firearms but did not pursue Ard as he walked away from the building. Surveillance footage from multiple angles shows Ard later circling back toward the courthouse after a city police officer arrived at the scene.

That officer, later identified as Kenny Duschke—a veteran with 11 years on the force—engaged Ard and attempted to de-escalate the situation by shouting commands. Duschke also attempted to subdue Ard with a stun gun. However, the Taser appeared to have little effect. Police say one of the probes from the Taser struck Ard, but it failed to stop him. As Ard charged at Duschke with the bat raised, the officer began to retreat backward.

Body camera footage shows Ard gaining ground as Duschke backpedaled, and within seconds, the officer fired several rounds. Authorities estimate that Duschke discharged his weapon approximately six times, fatally striking Ard. Ard collapsed to the ground shortly thereafter. Evansville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Cullum said during a press conference that the officer's use of deadly force appeared to be justified under the circumstances.

“When he made the decision to chase after the officer and attempt to strike him with a deadly weapon, unfortunately, he created a situation that led to his own death,” Cullum stated. He noted that Ard posed a significant threat to the officer’s safety, and the split-second decision to use lethal force was consistent with department policy and officer training.

Cullum also revealed that Ard had been at the same courthouse just one day earlier. On Monday, Ard had reportedly entered the building and expressed vague concerns about the federal government. While the exact nature of his grievances has not been disclosed, authorities confirmed that Ard did not return with any official appointment or scheduled business on Tuesday. Instead, he arrived around 11:20 a.m. with a baseball bat, leading to the destructive and ultimately fatal confrontation.

Investigators say one of the courthouse security officers also discharged their weapon during the incident, but the body and security camera footage did not clearly show when that occurred. A portion of the video does include audio of a security officer telling Duschke to use his Taser. Sgt. Cullum explained that one of the Taser’s probes had successfully made contact—either with Ard’s clothing or body—since the device can be seen dragging behind Ard as he ran, still attached by its wires.

No law enforcement officers or bystanders were injured during the incident. Officer Duschke has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, while an internal investigation is conducted. The Evansville Police Department and federal authorities are working together to review the circumstances surrounding Ard’s actions and the police response.

This event has reignited conversations about the risks officers face when confronting individuals who appear unstable or aggressive. Authorities have not said whether Ard had a documented history of mental illness, but the case has drawn attention from local advocacy groups focused on improving mental health interventions and crisis response protocols.

As the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to withhold judgment until all the facts are reviewed. In the meantime, Officer Duschke’s actions are being closely examined, but early statements suggest the shooting was in response to an immediate and dangerous threat.





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