INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Marion County community, 36-year-old Stephen Wieland has been sentenced to 37 years in prison following his conviction for attempted murder. The conviction stems from a harrowing incident in February 2023, where Wieland shot his pregnant girlfriend in the head inside their shared home, with their three young children present during the attack. Despite the severity and brutality of the assault, the victim miraculously survived, along with her unborn child, though both face a long road to recovery.
The violent episode unfolded in a duplex located on the 1600 block of Harlan Street, a neighborhood on Indianapolis’s near southeast side. Authorities responded to a 911 call, arriving at the scene to find the victim critically injured but alive. The bullet entered her forehead, traversed around her skull, and exited near her left ear—an extraordinary trajectory that spared both mother and child.
The subsequent investigation revealed a chilling narrative of domestic abuse, deception, and violence. Initially, Wieland attempted to mislead responding officers, claiming he had discovered his girlfriend bleeding after finding the front door ajar upon his return home. However, his story quickly unraveled as witness accounts and physical evidence contradicted his version of events.
Neighbors and witnesses reported hearing a heated argument followed by a gunshot. One described Wieland as a “skinny, strung-out-looking” man with visible neck tattoos, who was seen fleeing the residence shortly after the shooting. Police found a handgun concealed in a diaper bag inside the home, along with 10mm ammunition in Wieland’s possession. He was also found carrying keys to the victim’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Throughout the trial, which culminated in a March 2025 jury conviction, prosecutors presented evidence of Wieland’s prior history of domestic violence. Records and testimonies revealed past assaults on the victim and threats involving firearms, including an incident where Wieland pointed a gun at the victim’s ex-boyfriend. This pattern of abuse underscored the gravity of the crime and the danger Wieland posed to his family.
Perhaps most heartbreaking was the testimony provided by the couple’s three young children, all of whom were present during the shooting. One child described the horrific aftermath, recalling seeing “blood everywhere.” The trauma inflicted on these children played a significant role in the prosecutors’ call for a substantial prison sentence.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears delivered a strong statement following the sentencing. “This was an unconscionable act of violence — not only against the victim but against her children, who were forced to witness the aftermath of this horror,” he said. “We are grateful for the victim’s survival and her courage, and we hope this sentence sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our community.”
The victim’s recovery process remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges ahead. Support services have been engaged to aid her healing journey, acknowledging the complex trauma caused by such a violent act.
Stephen Wieland will serve the majority of his 37-year sentence within the Indiana Department of Correction, facing the consequences of his actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impacts of domestic violence and the importance of vigilance, community support, and strong legal intervention in protecting vulnerable individuals and families.
As the community reflects on this tragic event, there is a renewed call for awareness and prevention of domestic violence, with hopes that justice and healing can move forward for those affected.
