An Indianapolis mother reportedly defended her 12-year-old daughter from a convicted child molester in a motel room, shooting the man during the alleged assault. The incident took place at the Baymont Inn on a Saturday, as per court records. The mother, who remains anonymous, found Bruce Pierce, also from Indianapolis, allegedly attacking her child. The young girl was said to be resisting Pierce’s advances before her mother intervened.
The victim’s grandmother reported to the police that Pierce had been in contact with the 12-year-old through online platforms and phone calls. According to documents obtained by local media on Wednesday, he was allegedly persuading the girl to run away with him.
Following the incident, Pierce was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including attempted rape and child molestation. He is registered in the Indiana Sex Offender Registry. On the day of the incident, the victim and her sister sought help from their grandmother when their mother did not come home. They later discovered their mother and Pierce in the motel’s lobby.
Court documents further disclose that the girl was left alone with Pierce in the motel room while her mother and sister were transferring items to their car. The young girl was reportedly feeling unwell. Pierce allegedly took advantage of the situation, pinning the girl to the bed and starting to undress her. The mother intervened, shooting Pierce, who was also reportedly armed.
The mother and daughter were able to flee the motel and join their relatives in the car before alerting the police. Pierce was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is yet to be taken into custody.
The incident occurred on May 24, 2025. Pierce is facing charges of attempted rape, child molestation, unlawful possession of a firearm, and confinement. An arrest warrant has been issued against him. Pierce had previously pleaded guilty to child molestation charges in 2016.
The young victim was also taken to a children’s hospital after allegedly being hit by the suspect’s gun. The reason for the mother and Pierce’s presence in the motel lobby prior to the shooting remains unclear.