Indianapolis man shot at Kroger over bizarre dispute — cops say ‘it’s totally ridiculous’

An argument over Pokémon cards in Indianapolis escalated into gunfire, leaving a man injured in what police described as a targeted and “totally ridiculous” act of violence.

The bizarre shooting has drawn national attention as demand for Pokémon trading cards leads to confrontations, thefts, and other crimes tied to the booming collectibles market.

According to local news outlet WTHR, the Indianapolis shooting happened around 6:51 p.m. on April 11 outside a Kroger store on Twin Aire Drive in Indianapolis. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found an adult man suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot. He was taken to a hospital for surgery and was later reported in stable condition, police said.

Investigators say the confrontation began with an argument over Pokémon cards near a vending machine outside the store. Witnesses told police the dispute started after one man allegedly cut in line while others were waiting to buy the collectible cards. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation before the suspect opened fire, according to preliminary findings.

Speaking to reporters, Indianapolis police Capt. Don Weilhammer called the circumstances “totally ridiculous.” Authorities said the incident appeared to be “targeted rather than random.”

Police detained a suspect at the scene and recovered two pistols as evidence, though as of the latest public update, no formal charges had been announced. Investigators have not released the names of either the victim or the suspected shooter.

The high stakes of Pokémon

In a national trend reported by multiple outlets, federal authorities arrested a suspect in connection with a robbery crew accused of stealing more than $100,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards from a New York City shop earlier this year. Prosecutors say the theft was part of a broader string of card-related robberies.

Separately, police in Gilbert, Arizona, responded in January to a fight stemming from another dispute over a Pokémon card vending machine, underscoring how tensions around the collectible cards have increasingly spilled into public confrontations.

Pokémon cards have surged in value in recent years, with some rare editions fetching thousands — and occasionally hundreds of thousands — of dollars on the resale market. The boom has contributed to shortages, scalping, and heightened competition whenever retailers restock trading card machines.

Retailers, including Target and Walmart, have previously altered or suspended in-store trading card sales in some locations following fights and safety concerns tied to the hobby.

The Indianapolis shooting now stands as one of the most serious recent examples of that trend. No additional information about the suspect or possible charges has been released. The victim remains in stable condition after undergoing surgery, but hospital staff initially described his wounds as “serious.” The case remains under investigation.