INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man who shot and killed his wife Thursday was a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence, I-Team learned on Friday.

Walter McNary, 76, led Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on a chase when they tried to pull him over for shooting his wife.

A mugshot from 2011 showed McNary in the Indiana Department of Corrections. He was in prison for violating probation linked drug charges. He was released right before Christmas.

According to court documents, in early May 2012, he came home at 4 a.m. and woke up his wife, Nola, by hitting her. That morning, he hit her several times, choked her, and threatened to kill her.

He ultimately took a plea deal, was given probation, and ordered to complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Fast forward 13 years to the scene Thursday on North Ritter Avenue. It’s where McNary shot his wife, Nola, just after 7 in the morning.

The family told I-Team 8 that Nola had been staying at her sister’s house to get away from Walter.

Nola’s friend told us what happened was a surprise. Monica Gather said, “We never expected it, but behind every smile could be some sadness. You never know what somebody’s going through. If you see signs in a domestic dispute just run. Just run, because one sign can be the sign of many bad signs.”

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

About The Author

See author's posts