INDIANAPOLIS — Following a mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis early Saturday morning, many are asking questions about the incident and seeking solutions that could prevent future violence.
Find the reaction to the shooting from leaders in the City of Indianapolis below:
The shooting
Around 1:27 a.m., officers who were patrolling downtown heard shots fired and ran to East Washington and South Illinois Streets.
According to IMPD, police found six victims at the scene. A 16-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other five victims police found were transported to area hospitals.
One of the individuals medics transported from the scene — a 15-year-old male — ultimately died at a hospital.
Soon after the shooting unfolded, police confirmed another person walked into Eskenazi Hospital with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Police believe that person was involved in the shooting downtown, bringing the total number of victims injured or killed during the incident to seven.
The living victims are a 16-year-old, a 17-year-old, two 19-year-olds and a 21-year-old.
Mayor Joe Hogsett, IMPD Chief Christopher Bailey and other community leaders spoke at a press conference on Saturday afternoon to discuss the shooting.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s response
Hogsett expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, along with his frustration with the incident.
“There is no reason a young person should have a firearm, period,” Hogsett said. “There is no reason a young person should be downtown after hours without parental supervision, period!”
Hogsett went on to say that the violence reduction strategies the City has implemented over the years have led to declining crime in Indianapolis.
Hogsett also announced that, in the coming days, the Mayor’s office, IMPD, OPHS and community partners will be taking steps to actively enforce the curfew downtown.
IMPD’s response
Bailey, like Hogsett, also expressed how upset he felt after Saturday morning’s shooting.
“What occurred this morning is not who we are,” Bailey said. “We are so much better than that.”
He added that while he is angry and frustrated with what happened, he has even more determination to solve the problem.
While Bailey was downtown last night, he noticed that there was “lawlessness and disrespect” from people of all ages.
“I watched as bottle rockets were shot from the top of parking garages onto community members below, as Roman candles were shot over people’s heads as the fireworks were going on at Monument Circle,” Bailey said. “I saw people openly using narcotics, partying in parking lots, fighting, all while our officers chased them around downtown.”
He said that the inappropriate behavior was not exclusive to kids. He indicated that adults “who should know better” also participated in improper activity.
“If you are coming downtown to engage in this kind of lawlessness, you are not welcome.” Bailey said. “Stay home or go home.”
He added that he wants people to come downtown, but he wants them to leave the same way that they came — safe.
He then went on to call out parents and guardians, urging them to speak up and take charge. He acknowledged that some parents work, leaving the kids to fend for themselves.
Bailey added that curfew laws in downtown Indianapolis need to be based on “help and not punishment.”
Community response
The community also has spoken out, calling for and seeking solutions to the city’s violence.
Kareem Hines, founder of New Breed of Youth, a mentoring program for young men, called on Indianapolis residents to make violence reduction a point of emphasis.
He said his opinion may be contradictory to those who believe this is a community problem.
“This is a personal problem,” Hines said. “It has to be a personal problem.”
He said he knows that more people will surround those who died at their funerals than when they were alive.
He added that the problem will not be solved downtown; the problem needs to be solved before they get downtown, as he called on parents to prioritize their own kids and family.
“You can’t change the world, but you can change your world,” Hines said.
Rick Snyder, President of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, also released a statement on the shooting:
“Last week, after a triple shooting on the canal and a triple shooting on Monument Circle, our policing professionals called for backup from our residents and business owners to demand elected leaders call upon the prosecutor and courts to close the revolving door of criminal justice.” Snyder wrote in a press release.
He added that instead of elected officials pointing fingers, they should “get in the game where lives are at stake.”
Changes being made by IMPD
The IMPD announced a list of changes being made to combat violence downtown:
- Adding camera technology to strategic locations throughout downtown
- Adding additional police resources downtown for the foreseeable future
- Adding Indiana State Police troopers to the downtown area throughout the summer
- Working closely with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
- Officers and detectives are to seek “stay away orders” in every probable cause with anyone charged with crimes of violence, weapons violations, disorderly behavior or repeat offenders
- Working with the city council to update ordinances for food vendors and food trucks, as they are a common source of issues after bars close
- Engaging with business owners, specifically owners of surface lots, as they have been “problem points’ the last few weeks
- Engaging with the community, OPHS, and the Mayor’s office to establish a process for increased curfew detentions