INDIANAPOLIS — A teenage student is dead after being shot in the parking lot of a high school on Indy’s near northeast side, setting a new yearly record for youth homicides in the city.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called around 12:55 p.m. Friday to 2259 Ralston Avenue for a person shot.
IMPD said that officers arrived to find a victim, later identified as a teenage male student at KIPP Indy Legacy High School, suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot.
That victim, police said, was initially reported to be in critical condition. In an update around 4 p.m. Friday, IMPD Lt. Shane Foley confirmed that the victim had died from his injuries.
The victim’s guardian has been notified, according to IMPD, and no other people were injured.
According to Lt. Foley, a teenage male has been detained in reference to the shooting. Initially, IMPD identified that teen as another KIPP student but the department has since said that is not true.
“IMPD would like to clarify the person detained is not a student despite previous statements,” the department posted on social media around 3:15 p.m.
The teen, Foley said, is considered a suspect in the shooting and was detained in a separate area away from the crime scene.
The shooting reportedly occurred in the parking lot outside of Edna Martin Christian Center and the high school. Marion County Crime Lab crews responded to the scene and collected a jacket, several bullet casings and other evidence, Foley said.
IMPD reiterated around 4 p.m. that it is believed that this was a targeted incident.
In the 4 p.m. news conference, Lt. Foley confirmed that there had been a reported “disturbance” at KIPP Indy Legacy HS earlier in the day. However, police did not provide further information on that disturbance and said detectives are investigating whether or not it was related to the shooting.
KIPP Indy Public Schools released the following statement around 5 p.m. on Facebook:
“Early this afternoon, an incident involving gun violence occurred at 23rd and Ralston Avenue at the north end of the Leadership and Legacy Campus parking lot that involved one of our Legacy High students who was walking home. After being rushed to the hospital to receive medical care, our student sadly passed away. We are in ongoing communication with the student’s family, and will continue to offer support during this extremely difficult time. On Monday, we will have on-site supports available for students and staff as our school community processes this tragedy.
The suspect is not a KIPP Indy student and is currently in custody. IMPD responded immediately and will continue to complete their investigation. There is no ongoing threat to those nearby or to anyone living in the surrounding area. Our KIPP Indy campuses executed our secure campus protocol with excellence and ensured the security of our school buildings and community. The safety of our entire school community will always be our top priority.”
According to records kept by FOX59/CBS4, this shooting is the 20th time a minor has been killed in a homicide in the city this year. This marks a new record for youth homicides in Indianapolis.
- Youth homicides in Indianapolis by year:
- 2016: 7 homicides
- 2017: 14 homicides
- 2018: 7 homicides
- 2019: 16 homicides
- 2020: 15 homicides
- 2021: 17 homicides
- 2022: 19 homicides
- 2023: 20 homicides
FOX59/CBS4 has a crew on scene working to gather more information.
