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INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A mother shot a convicted child molester multiple times after allegedly catching him attempting to sexually assault her 12-year-old daughter inside a hotel room, according to court documents and police reports.
The incident occurred on May 24 at the Baymont Inn located on Eagle View Drive on the west side of Indianapolis. As reported by WIBC, the mother had briefly left her daughter in a hotel room with 34-year-old Bruce Pierce while she went to her vehicle. When she returned, she discovered Pierce on top of her daughter, attempting to remove her clothing.
According to WTHR, the girl’s grandmother told police that Pierce had been communicating with the 12-year-old online and over the phone prior to the incident. She also stated that Pierce had tried to convince the girl to run away with him. That night, the grandmother, the victim, and her sister went to the hotel to look for the mother. After the mother and one daughter went to the car to move belongings, the 12-year-old, who was reportedly feeling sick, stayed behind in the hotel room with Pierce.
Court documents state that when the mother returned to the room, she heard her daughter saying “No, no, no” and saw Pierce pinning the girl to the bed while ripping her clothes. The mother then drew her firearm and shot Pierce multiple times. The child told police that Pierce had grabbed her arms, pinned them to the bed, and ripped her tank top and underwear before her mother entered the room. Pierce was reportedly armed during the incident, and the child was struck by Pierce’s gun, leading her to be taken to Riley Hospital for Children for evaluation.
Following the shooting, Pierce was transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. According to FOX59, Pierce remains hospitalized. An active warrant has been issued for his arrest on charges including attempted rape, attempted child molestation, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and confinement of a victim under 14 years of age.
Court records confirm that Pierce had previous child molestation convictions from 2016 in Hendricks and Morgan counties, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
In situations like this, where an immediate and credible threat of serious bodily harm or death is present, the use of defensive force is legally justified. The mother’s quick actions prevented severe harm to her daughter. This case highlights the importance of being prepared to act decisively when confronted with a direct threat to the safety of oneself or others.
