Mother shoots convicted child molester as he tried to rape 12-year-old daughter at hotel: reports
The mother walked in on Bruce Pierce, of Indianapolis, allegedly on top of her child as the preteen repeatedly said no, leading up to the gunfire at the Baymont Inn, court documents state.
The young victim's grandmother told police that Pierce had been talking with the 12-year-old online and over the phone, trying to persuade her to leave town with him, according to the documents obtained by WTHR Wednesday.
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Bruce Pierce was arrested and charged with several charges including attempted rape and attempted child molestation.
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The day of the shooting, the victim and her sister woke up their grandmother when their mother didn't come home. They went to the inn, where they found the mom and Pierce in the lobby.
At one point, the girl was left alone in the room with Pierce while the mother and sister took items to the car because the preteen wasn't feeling well, the documents state.
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Pierce took the opportunity to allegedly pin her arms to the bed and start ripping some of her clothes before the mother burst in, the documents state.
The young victim was able to get away as the mother opened fire on Pierce, who also allegedly had a gun in his hand, according to the docs.
Mother and daughter fled the hotel with their other relatives in the car and called police.
Pierce was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, but is not yet in custody, according to the station.
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The shooting took place at the Baymont Inn in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 24, 2025.
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He facing charges of attempted rape, attempted child molestation, unlawful possession of a firearm and confinement, Fox 59 reported.
A warrant was issued for his arrest.
He pleaded guilty to past child molesting charges in 2016, the outlets reported.
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The victim was also treated at a children's hospital because she was allegedly hit by the suspect's gun.
It's unclear why the mother and Pierce were in the hotel lobby before the shooting.
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