Indiana Cop Mistakenly Shoot At Actor During Movie Scene

Crawfordsville, Indiana — A film shoot nearly turned deadly Tuesday evening when police mistook an actor for an armed robbery suspect outside a local bar. The incident unfolded at the Back Step Brewing Company, where a low-budget film crew from Montgomery County Production was filming a scene involving a masked man holding a gun. Unfortunately, no one had informed local authorities or neighboring businesses about the shoot, setting the stage for a serious misunderstanding.

According to Indiana State Police, a 911 call was made after a concerned citizen saw a masked man with what appeared to be a firearm entering the back of the building. Believing they were witnessing a robbery in progress, the caller alerted police, prompting a swift response from officers with the Crawfordsville Police Department.

When officers arrived, they saw actor Jeff Duff exiting the building in character—wearing a ski mask and holding a realistic-looking prop gun. Officers, unaware that a film production was underway, immediately shouted commands at Duff, ordering him to drop the weapon. In a tense moment, Duff reportedly turned toward officers while still holding the prop, prompting police to fire a shot in his direction.

The bullet narrowly missed Duff, striking the building instead. Startled, Duff dropped the gun, removed his mask, and informed officers he was filming a movie. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, though those present were visibly shaken by how close the situation came to a real tragedy.

“The bullet went by his head. It was very close,” fellow actor Phillip Demoret said. “I don’t want to think about it. If it had hit him, we’d be having a whole different conversation. Thank goodness he wasn’t.”

Sgt. Kim Riley of the Indiana State Police defended the officers’ quick actions, noting the difficulty of distinguishing a real threat from a staged one without prior notification. “When the police said ‘drop the gun,’ he turns toward police pointing the gun,” Riley explained. “If you don’t know it’s a movie scene, how are you supposed to react? I know if it was my situation, I probably would have done the same thing.”

The incident has sparked conversations about the responsibilities of film crews to communicate clearly with law enforcement when filming scenes involving weapons or suspicious behavior in public spaces. According to investigators, neither the bar owners nor the production company alerted authorities or nearby businesses about the planned shoot, which contributed to the confusion.

Kodi Swank, co-owner of Montgomery County Production, issued a public statement acknowledging the oversight. “There’s a lesson to be learned on both sides of the spectrum—from us as a low-budget movie company and from the police department on their quick reaction,” Swank said. “I’m very grateful that the police department did their job to the best of their ability with an unknown situation.”

The firearm used in the scene was confirmed to be a prop, but police said its appearance was realistic enough to warrant concern. The incident is now under investigation by the Indiana State Police, who will review the officers’ actions and determine whether any procedural changes should be recommended for future incidents.

Meanwhile, the Crawfordsville Police Department has stated that the officers involved in the shooting are currently on their regularly scheduled days off. No disciplinary action has been announced, and the department is cooperating fully with state investigators.

The event highlights the importance of clear communication between creative projects and public safety officials—especially when firearms or intense action scenes are involved. What was meant to be just another movie shoot could have ended in tragedy, but thanks to quick reflexes and a bit of luck, it turned into a valuable lesson for all involved.