Child hit by gunfire from outside home on northeast side
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A child was shot inside a home on the city’s northeast side Wednesday morning, when bullets were fired from outside the house, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Just after 1 a.m., officers were called to the 9700 block of East 42nd Street, between Post and Mitthoeffer roads for a report of a person shot.
After arriving on the scene, officers determined that a five-year-old girl was hit by shots originating from outside the residence.
Police said the girl has been transported to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health hospital after being shot in the leg and is stable.
IMPD originally said a 14-year-old, was grazed by a bullet but upon further investigation officers said the teen’s injuries were from debris and not from a gunshot.
No information on a possible suspect has been released.
Wednesday’s shooting comes less than a week after 12-year old Day’Shawn Bills was shot and killed by a stray bullet.
Police say that gunfire from outside Day’Shawn’s grandmother’s house struck him, while he was playing video games inside.
That shooting was in the 3400 block of North Leland Avenue, northeast of Emerson Avenue and East 34th Street. At this point, no arrests have been made in the case.
Day’shawn’s death sparked outrage from community leaders about the recent violence in Indianapolis.
Statement
“For the second time in less than a week, children in our city have been injured by gunfire coming from outside their homes. The recklessness of firing a gun into any home, but especially one where children are present, is beyond shameful. I am very grateful that the two little girls injured last night survived the shooting, but the way children in this city are being traumatized, injured, and killed by gunfire is absolutely unacceptable.
“The issue of gun violence affects all of us, and we must all work together to address it. The Council appropriated unprecedented levels of public safety funding for 2021, and we continue to work with our partners in the administration to bring additional resources to bear on this challenge. But resources alone cannot change the mindsets of those who believe gun violence is the solution, rather than the problem.
“I am praying for the family that was targeted in last night’s shooting. To the shooters, and to anyone tempted to use a gun to resolve a dispute, I say please learn to resolve anger and conflict without risking or taking someone else’s life. To those with information about the shooting last night, or any of the recent shootings in our city, I say: if you see something, say something. Save someone’s life.
“If you need assistance resolving a conflict or would like to become a volunteer community mediator, contact the James E. Waters Community Mediation Center at mediation@indy.gov. If you have information about this or any crime, please call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) or at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or go to www.crimetips.org.”
La Keisha Jackson, Democrat on Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council