Indianapolis (BN24) – Two teenage boys died and five others were wounded in a mass shooting that occurred early Saturday morning in Indianapolis, police confirmed.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to disturbance calls around 1:27 a.m. near Washington and Meridian Street when they heard gunshots, according to department officials.
An unidentified 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene while five additional victims were transported to local hospitals, police said. A 15-year-old boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital, investigators confirmed. One victim transported themselves to the hospital independently.
The surviving victims included a 16-year-old, a 17-year-old, two 19-year-olds and one 21-year-old, according to police descriptions. Investigators said victim ages ranged from 16 to 21 years old.
No suspect has been identified and police have released no information regarding a motive as of Saturday afternoon. The investigation remains ongoing with no arrests announced.
Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey expressed outrage over the violence during a news conference Saturday. “Too many lives are being lost,” Bailey said, highlighting the escalating gun violence affecting the city’s youth population.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also condemned the shooting and expressed sympathy for the victims’ families during the news conference. “All of this is avoidable and preventable,” Hogsett said, calling attention to the tragic loss of young lives.
The shooting represents the latest incident of gun violence affecting teenagers in Indianapolis, where city officials have struggled to address rising violence among young people. The incident occurred in a downtown area near the intersection of Washington and Meridian Street during early morning hours when many young people gather.
Police have not released details about the circumstances leading to the shooting or whether the victims knew each other. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify suspects and determine what prompted the deadly encounter.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has requested anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators as they work to solve the case and bring those responsible to justice.
