Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 37 Years for Shooting Pregnant Girlfriend in the Head While Children Were Present

Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 37 Years for Shooting Pregnant Girlfriend in the Head While Children Were Present

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A Marion County judge has sentenced 36-year-old Stephen Wieland to 37 years in prison after he was found guilty of attempted murder for shooting his pregnant girlfriend in the head inside their home while three young children were present.

The violent incident occurred in February 2023 at a duplex located in the 1600 block of Harlan Street on Indianapolis’s near southeast side. Despite the severity of the shooting, the victim miraculously survived. The bullet entered through her forehead, traveled around her skull, and exited near her left ear — sparing her life and that of her unborn child.

Wieland was convicted in March 2025 following a multi-day jury trial. On Monday, June 2, he received a 37-year sentence for the near-fatal attack, which authorities say could have easily resulted in a double homicide.

The Attack and Investigation

When officers arrived at the scene, Wieland attempted to mislead authorities, claiming he found his girlfriend bleeding on the floor after returning home to find the front door ajar. However, the investigation quickly unraveled his story.

Multiple witnesses told police they heard an intense argument followed by a gunshot. They later saw Wieland leaving the home. One witness described him as a “skinny, strung-out-looking” man with neck tattoos.

Responding officers discovered the victim in a bedroom, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite her injuries, she was rushed to the hospital and survived — an outcome that investigators have described as nothing short of extraordinary.

While searching the home, police found a handgun concealed in a diaper bag, along with 10mm ammunition in Wieland’s possession. He also had the keys to the victim’s vehicle on him at the time of his arrest.

History of Domestic Violence

Court records and testimony revealed a troubling history of domestic violence. Wieland had previously been accused of physically assaulting the victim and threatening others with a firearm, including pointing a gun at her ex-boyfriend.

The three children who were present during the shooting — including one who witnessed the aftermath — later told investigators that their mother and Wieland had been fighting. One child recalled seeing “blood everywhere.”

Marion County prosecutors emphasized the trauma inflicted on the children, the brutal nature of the crime, and Wieland’s history of abusive behavior in their push for a lengthy sentence.

A Message from Prosecutors

“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,” said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. “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 continues to recover from her injuries and is receiving support services. Authorities say her survival is remarkable, but the road to healing — physically, emotionally, and mentally — will be a long one.

Wieland will serve the majority of his 37-year sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction.