Police say a 31-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.
FISHERS, IN — A 30-year-old Noblesville man was shot and killed inside Britton Tavern early Monday, Dec. 1, and Fishers police arrested a 31-year-old Carmel man at the scene shortly after 2:45 a.m., authorities said.
The killing brought a large police response to the bar near State Road 37 and East 141st Street as detectives began interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. Police identified the victim as Justin Burton of Noblesville. By late morning, the suspect was booked into the Hamilton County Jail on a preliminary count of murder as investigators worked to determine what led to the shooting inside the popular tavern. Officials said the case is in its early stages and additional details will be released when available.
Officers were dispatched to Britton Tavern, 14005 Mundy Drive, after reports of a shooting inside the business. When they entered, they found a man with injuries consistent with a single gunshot wound. Medics and officers attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt. Angela Ellison, a spokesperson for the Fishers Police Department, told reporters the shooting appeared to be isolated and said there was no ongoing threat to the public. “We believe this is an isolated incident. We are not looking for anyone else,” Ellison said outside the bar during a brief morning update.
Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison later identified the victim as Burton, age 30, after family notification. Police said the suspect, identified as Maclean Murt, age 31 of Carmel, remained at the bar and was taken into custody without further incident. Detectives recovered evidence inside the tavern and spoke with employees and patrons who were still present when officers arrived. Authorities did not immediately release what kind of firearm was used, whether the men knew each other before the shooting, or what preceded the gunfire. A department news release said officers responded within minutes of the 2:45 a.m. call and that no other injuries were reported.
Morning brought a quiet scene outside Britton Tavern as yellow tape blocked the main entrance and patrol cars lined the lot near Mundy Drive. The tavern sits off a commercial corridor that includes restaurants and retail centers that typically see late weekend traffic. The bar is known for live music and televised games. Nearby drivers slowed as investigators photographed doorways and checked cameras mounted near the building’s roofline. A tow truck later removed a vehicle from the lot as part of the evidence work. People who pulled into the lot for breakfast at nearby businesses were turned away from spaces closest to the tavern while the block was closed to nonemployees.
Police said Murt was arrested on a preliminary charge, which allows detectives and prosecutors time to review reports, interviews, and any available video before formal charges are filed in court. By Monday afternoon, jail records listed Murt held on a single murder count with no bond while he awaited an initial hearing in Hamilton County. Investigators asked anyone who was inside the bar around closing time to contact detectives if they left before police arrived. Ellison said detectives were canvassing nearby businesses for security footage that might show movements leading up to the shooting.
Britton Tavern, which opened more than a decade ago, sits near a cluster of newer developments east of State Road 37 and draws patrons from Fishers, Noblesville, and surrounding Hamilton County communities. Violent crime is relatively rare around the corridor, which is more commonly associated with property calls and traffic stops. Monday’s homicide is the latest major case Fishers police have handled this fall, following several unrelated investigations that brought regional attention. City officials have emphasized that area officers regularly coordinate with businesses on camera access and closing-time patrols, a practice that can speed up evidence collection after overnight incidents.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office will determine the exact cause and manner of death after an autopsy. Prosecutors will review the police investigation to decide on formal charges and any enhancements. A probable cause filing is expected before Murt’s initial appearance in Hamilton Superior Court, which will be set by the clerk’s office. Police said they expect to release an updated news bulletin once investigators finish key interviews and review additional video. The tavern’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment about operating hours while the investigation continues.
Witness accounts gathered by detectives describe a sudden confrontation inside the bar shortly before closing time. One employee who spoke briefly with reporters at the scene said staff moved several patrons away from the main floor while officers secured the building. A resident from a nearby apartment complex said she woke to the sound of sirens and saw flashing lights from her balcony. “It was just lights everywhere and then it stayed quiet for a long time while they were working,” she said. Police did not release any 911 audio or surveillance clips Monday, citing the active investigation.
As of Monday evening, Fishers police said the scene processing was complete and the bar was turned back over to management. Murt remained jailed awaiting a court date and Burton’s relatives were being assisted by victim advocates. Officials said the next public update is expected when charging documents are filed or when the coroner releases autopsy findings.
Author note: Last updated December 1, 2025.