Joshua Beal’s Criminal History Includes Beating Man With Gun During Traffic Altercation

CHICAGO, IL - Joshua Beal, the 25-year-old Indianapolis man who was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in Mount Greenwood on Saturday, was convicted of battery seven years ago in Indiana after he was accused of pulling out a handgun and hitting a man in the forehead with it during a traffic altercation.

Beal was charged with battery and operating a vehicle without receiving a license on Aug. 23, 2009, according to court records. He was later convicted, sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $80 in restitution to the victim.

Information from an Indiana Appellate court decision in 2010 states that Beal was in his car waiting to turn left at an intersection when he was rear-ended by a truck. The driver of the truck pushed Beal’s car thru the intersection while the truck was able to make the turn.

Court findings state Beal drove around the block to find the vehicle that struck his. Both drivers exited their vehicles, then Beal requested $660 to $700 from the truck driver and demanded his wallet.

When the truck driver could not produce the amount Beal requested, reports indicate Beal “pulled out a gun and hit (the truck driver) on the forehead above his right eye with it.”

Beal also demanded the truck driver - who was driving uninsured - for the title to the truck.

The uncle of the truck driver arrived on the scene and saw Beal with a gun tucked in his waistband. He called police, but Beal was then said to have walked to a nearby home and returned without the gun.

When police arrived they found Beal in a “very agitated” state.

“Beal was angry, and he was yelling and cursing at the officers, which led to his being handcuffed for officer safety,” the original police report stated.

Beal appealed the decision he had to pay $80, but his appeal was denied.