Community reacts after 2 killed, 11 injured in Indianapolis weekend shootings

INDIANAPOLIS — After a flurry of shootings in Indianapolis this weekend – some involving juveniles – police and community leaders said people must learn to solve conflicts without guns.

“This is unacceptable – period!” IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said. “No community should have to endure the level of gun violence we’ve witnessed over the past 48 hours.”

The calls for peace come after a weekend of violence, including a deadly mass shooting and triple shooting on the northwest side. 

IMPD reports it has made five arrests in the four incidents.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we need your help,” Bailey said.

(NOTE: 13News has a policy not to name suspects until formal charges are filed by a prosecutor.)

At least two people are dead and five others are injured after a mass shooting on the northwest side of Indianapolis early Sunday morning.

According to IMPD, officers were called around 2:15 a.m. Sept. 21 to the 6800 block of Shore Terrace, just north of the 38th Street exit on Interstate 465.

IMPD said six males and one female were shot in the incident. 

According to IMPD, a witness said a man grabbed a gun from the waistband of another man and began shooting. The man whose gun was taken pulled a second gun and shot the man who took the gun. Then, police believe a third person shot the man whose gun was taken.

IMPD said five people were wounded in the crossfire and two of the shooters are dead.

The two people who were shot and killed were identified by the Marion County Coroner’s Office as 38-year-old Rodney Allen Taylor and 29-year-old Dante Lynn Hogans. 

Three of the wounded were last reported in critical condition.

A man was arrested for allegedly threatening a McDonald’s employee prior to an officer-involved shooting Saturday evening on the north side of Indianapolis.

According to IMPD, around 6:20 p.m. Sept. 20, officers were called to the McDonald’s restaurant located at 2425 E 38th St., near North Keystone Avenue, on a report of a disturbance with a weapon. Police say a 911 caller told dispatchers that a man was armed with a firearm and was threatening employees at the restaurant. 

When officers arrived at the McDonald’s, they found the 34-year-old male suspect inside. An employee told officers that the suspect had allegedly threatened to kill them.

Police say that when officers attempted to speak with the suspect, a struggle reportedly occurred.

IMPD said the suspect fired a shot at officers, and, fortunately, no one was injured.

The suspect ran but was captured a short time later.

IMPD is investigating a triple shooting Saturday night on the northwest side of Indianapolis. 

According to IMPD, around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 20, officers responded to the 5600 block of Georgetown Road, near West 56th Street, on a report of a person shot. 

When officers arrived on scene, they found three people who had been shot at a car meetup.

The 21-year-old suspect took off but crashed during a police chase and was arrested.

Police said a search of the suspect’s car found a gun with a machine gun conversion.

At Community Hospital East, police said two 14-year-olds showed up wounded from a shooting around 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

Police said two 16-year-olds with the other teens took off. 

Officers were able to catch the 16-year-olds and arrest them for dangerous possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.

Police responded to Ruckle Street on Indy’s near north side after a 33-year-old man was shot after allegedly threatening another person and trying to break into a house.

The shooter is claiming self-defense.

“It just got to stop. It has to stop,” said Malachi Walker, Young Men, Inc. Youth Ministry founder.

Walker said instead of taking out a gun, people should leave the situation before it is too late.

After violence happens, Walker has a message to share with his parishioners.

“When there’s a loss of life due to senseless gun violence in the city, our main thing is to gather together in prayer,” Walker said. “Prayer changes — I strongly believe that.”

Walker said without prayer, gun violence could be even worse.

For Indianapolis City-County Councilor Michael Paul-Hart (R-District 20), who is on the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, this weekend’s shootings were frustrating.

When talking to his constituents after these violent crimes happen, they tell him criminals do not fear consequences for their actions.

“We’re not taking bad guys and sticking them away for a long time,” Paul-Hart said. “It really impacts our police department; it really impacts the City of Indianapolis, and that’s the biggest problem I’m hearing from people is that they think there’s no fear for criminals in the City of Indianapolis.”

Fervent Prayer Church lead pastor James Jackson said this violence is happening more often in the last few months.

“Very concerned about that and very concerned about the – as I’ve always been – concerned about the ages of those either pulling the trigger or getting shot,” Jackson said.

Jackson said some people in his congregation are scared, hoping they will not become victims. Others are legally buying guns in an effort to protect themselves.

Jackson encouraged everyone to work together to make Indy peaceful.

“There’s no time that we can think that if we have peace on our own block, or in our own homes, that we have peace,” Jackson said. “It’s when the whole city has peace that we will truly have peace.”