Man tells robbers 'No,' is shot 7 times

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The search continues for a second teenager who police say is responsible for shooting a man Thursday afternoon on the Monon Trail. One teenager was in custody Friday, facing armed robbery and attempted murder charges.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said the 16-year-old boy was arrested late Thursday. They are not releasing his name because he is a minor.

Gary Bravard, 58, was shot as he walked home along the trail in the Nora area near 86th Street and Westfield Boulevard around t 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Bravard spoke with 24-Hour News 8 by phone from his bed at IU Health Methodist Hospital late Thursday night. He said he was in too much pain to speak about the issue yet on camera, but said he was relieved to hear of the first arrest in the case.

Bravard told 24-Hour News 8 that he was walking home from work along a crowded section of the trail, when two teens approached him.

“One of them had a white handkerchief over his face,” Bravard told 24-Hour News 8. “I only got a quick look at the other one.”

Bravard said the two then pulled out a handgun and demanded money. When he refused, he says they pulled the trigger. He says he was hit seven times in his legs, and has wounds on his ankles, knee, thigh, calf and lower spine. Several of those bullets remained lodged in his body early Friday morning, Bravard said.

He was listed in stable condition at Methodist early Friday morning, as he continued recovering from his wounds.

Bravard has been called one of Indianapolis’ “pioneers in special events planning.” He co-hosts a weekly public radio show called “Too Many Cooks!” from the University of Indianapolis. His biography on the show’s website calls him a “special events impresario” and says he “favors long walks and a quieter, more reflective lifestyle” and has taken several recent culinary tours of Europe.

Early Friday, many heading out to use the trail were alarmed to find out what had happened the day before in broad daylight.

“I stay off it when it’s dark, because it could be unsafe, but to see that in the afternoon really does surprise me,” said James Scott, riding his bicycle near the trail early Friday morning.

Asked if the shooting would deter him from using the trail in the future, Scott paused for a moment.

“I wouldn't say it would push me off using the Monon, but it would definitely make me a lot more cautious about what's going on and who's around me,” he said.

Police at the scene of the shooting called it an isolated incident, and said the Monon Trail remains as safe as ever.

“I'm not aware of any recent problems that are specific to just the Monon, and certainly not this area,” IMPD Officer Catherine Cummings told 24-Hour News 8 at the scene. “I don't think this is cause for concern of anything more than people being aware of their surroundings. And this is a good reminder that, regardless of where you are, always be aware of your surroundings, and anyone who may be around you or may approach you. Just always be aware of what's going on, for your own safety as well as the safety of others around you.”

The Monon Trail stretches from Hamilton County through Indianapolis. A recent study from Indiana University showed up to 4,000 people use the trail each day during the summer months. The Indiana Greenways Foundation says more than 3 million people use the trail each year.

Anyone with information on the identity of whereabouts of the second suspect in this shooting investigation is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-262-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous, and information that leads to felony arrest may be eligible for cash reward.