Investigators say the gunfire erupted inside the Fishers bar around 2:45 a.m. Monday.
FISHERS, Ind. — A 30-year-old man was shot and killed inside Britton Tavern early Monday, and officers arrested a 31-year-old man after finding him at the scene, Fishers police said. The shooting happened about 2:45 a.m. Dec. 1 at the bar near State Road 37 and East 141st Street.
Police said they responded within minutes to a 911 call reporting a person shot. Officers and medics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim died inside the business. Authorities later identified him as Justin Burton, 30, of Noblesville. Investigators detained a 31-year-old Carmel man, identified by police as Maclean Murt, on a preliminary charge of murder. Detectives interviewed witnesses as the bar and nearby parking lot remained taped off through the morning. The case reached prosecutors Monday as police worked to determine what led to the confrontation and whether the men knew each other.
According to police, the shooting occurred in a crowded room shortly before bar close. Officers arrived to find patrons sheltering in place and employees guiding people toward exits. A handgun was recovered, authorities said. Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison confirmed Burton’s identity Monday afternoon. Police did not immediately release a motive and did not report any other injuries. “This investigation is active,” a department spokesperson said, noting that detectives were reviewing surveillance video and taking statements from customers who saw the encounter unfold.
Investigators said the first 911 call came at 2:45 a.m. inside the bar at 14005 Mundy Drive. Responding units secured the building and rendered aid while additional officers canvassed the area and spoke with workers. One employee, who asked not to be named, said staff shouted for patrons to get down as the scene turned chaotic. A friend of Burton described him as “a great friend with a warming smile” and said he had recently celebrated his 30th birthday. Police said they arrested Murt without incident at the scene and transported him for questioning before booking him on a preliminary count.
Records show Britton Tavern is a well-known sports bar just off State Road 37, a corridor that has seen late-night traffic as nearby construction has rerouted drivers in recent years. Fishers, a city of about 100,000 northeast of Indianapolis, has a comparatively low violent crime rate. Monday’s shooting drew a heavy police presence, with patrol, detectives and crime scene specialists working through dawn. The city has not reported a recent homicide inside a bar; neighbors said the incident was unusual for the area.
Police said the case will be forwarded to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for charging review. An initial court appearance for Murt had not been scheduled as of Monday evening. The coroner’s office said it would conduct an autopsy and determine official cause and manner of death. Detectives asked anyone who left before speaking with officers to contact the department’s criminal investigations division. The bar remained closed for portions of the day as investigators completed scene processing and collected surveillance footage.
By midday, a small memorial of candles appeared near the tavern’s entrance as workers scrubbed the floor inside. Regulars stopped to ask staff about reopening and to trade details gleaned from overnight texts. “We’ve never had anything like this happen here,” said Chris Landon, who said he visits for weekend games. “People are shaken. We’re just thinking of Justin’s family tonight.” A rideshare driver waiting in the lot said he rerouted pickups from the area after hearing police radio traffic just after 3 a.m.
Police said the investigation remains open. As of late Monday, Murt was being held on a preliminary murder count while prosecutors reviewed the case. Officials said additional updates would be released when charges are finalized and a court date is set.
Author note: Last updated December 2, 2025.