Three charged with murder in birthday party shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Marion County prosecutors have charged three men with murder in connection with the August 3rd birthday party shooting in the 1200 block of W. 32nd Street.

Damion Martin, Antwan Williams and Devin Staten are all charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery and three counts of battery. The trio heard charges against them read aloud in Marion County court Friday.

Police allege the three men opened fire, killing Barbra Johnson and Charles Mays.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the three men left a party on West 26th Street in a Green Chrysler 300 that was later found riddled with bullet holes.

Police say the men were aiming for Kendall Hill, who the suspects believed responsible for the 2008 murder of Stevie McElwain. Police say a woman who attended both parties that night told Martin and Staten about Hill’s alleged involvement.

The woman told police the three men left in the Chrysler 300 and several minutes later she heard a loud string of gunfire.

Bullet casings found at the scene and additional casings found at Williams’ home helped police link him to the shootings. But, police say Williams told a witness that he got out of the car and shot Kendall “off the (expletive) chair.”

Williams also told the witness that people at the party returned fire when Damion Martin began shooting.