The 64-year-old victim says he was shot at close range after intruders demanded money.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A 64-year-old man recovering from a gunshot wound said a photo of cash posted on social media helped trigger a home invasion robbery on Indianapolis’ west side early Monday, when intruders burst in and demanded money before shooting him.
The man, Anthony McNary, said he believes the post drew the attention of people who thought he kept large amounts of cash at home. Police have not publicly identified suspects or announced arrests, and investigators have not confirmed what, if anything, was taken. The case adds to the pressure on detectives as residents on the city’s west side describe fear and anger after another violent break-in that escalated within seconds.
McNary said the attack began in the pre-dawn hours Monday when someone forced their way into his home on the west side. He said he was confronted almost immediately by a gunman who demanded money and accused him of hiding cash. “He said, ‘Where’s the money at? Where’s it at? I seen what you posted on Facebook. Where’s the money at?’” McNary said. He told the intruders he did not have what they were looking for, but he said the demands continued as he was pushed and threatened inside the home.
McNary said the confrontation turned violent fast. He said a gun was pressed against the back of his head and the trigger was pulled. “He stuck the gun to the back of my head and pulled the trigger. I couldn’t believe it,” McNary said. He survived and later spoke from home while recovering, describing the pain of the injury and the shock of realizing he had been targeted for what he said was a social media image that did not reflect reality. McNary said the photo was not proof that he had stacks of cash at home, but he believes the people who broke in were convinced it was.
Police have released few details about the shooting beyond confirming an active investigation into a home invasion and gunfire on the city’s west side. Investigators have not publicly said how many people were involved, how they entered, or whether they knew McNary. Authorities also have not said whether surveillance video, witness accounts, or forensic evidence has produced a suspect description. It also remains unclear whether the intruders came with a specific plan to rob the home or whether the violence escalated after they failed to find money. McNary said the attackers were focused on cash and kept pressing him for it, but he said he did not understand why they believed it was there.
The case highlights how quickly online posts can become part of a criminal narrative, police and victims have said in other incidents, even when the posts are misleading or taken out of context. In McNary’s account, the photo became a kind of invitation to thieves who believed they could find quick money inside a home. He said the post started after he felt challenged online and wanted to respond, but he now believes the decision put him in danger. He said he has replayed the moments leading up to the shooting and is frustrated that a single image could carry such deadly consequences.
For neighbors and people who live nearby, the shooting stirred worries about break-ins and the risk that a robbery can turn into an attempted killing. Several residents said they were alarmed that the victim was shot at close range inside his own home and still survived. Others said the case was a warning about how rumors and assumptions can drive violence, especially when someone believes a home contains cash or valuables. In interviews, McNary said he wants the people responsible caught and held accountable, and he said he hopes others understand how fast a situation can spiral when armed intruders come looking for money.
Investigators typically work home invasion cases by piecing together entry points, phone and social media activity, possible links between the victim and suspects, and any video that captures vehicles or faces before or after the crime. Police have not said whether they believe the intruders found McNary through a direct social media connection, a shared post, or word of mouth. McNary said he thinks the post was the spark, but he said he does not know who saw it first or how widely it spread. Detectives also have not said whether they are treating the case strictly as a robbery with a shooting or as a broader attempted homicide investigation, which can depend on the evidence they collect and prosecutors’ review.
McNary said his recovery has been slow and painful, and he described the emotional toll as heavy. He said he is grateful to be alive but shaken by how close he came to dying. In his telling, the gunshot was not the end of the ordeal, but the moment that made clear the intruders were willing to kill for money they believed existed. He said he has leaned on family and friends as he heals and tries to process what happened. “I nearly lost my life over a Facebook post,” he said, summarizing what he believes led to the attack.
As of Friday, police had not announced arrests or released a public timeline of investigative steps. McNary said he continues to work with detectives and hopes the case moves quickly. The next major milestone would be the identification of suspects and a formal charging decision by prosecutors once investigators submit evidence for review.
Author note: Last updated February 7, 2026.