2 teens shot during cellphone sale on northeast side

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two teens are in the hospital after a cellphone sale on the northeast side turned into a shooting. 

Officers with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 6400 block of East 82nd Street in Castleton around 8:12 p.m. on a report of shots fire and arrived to find shell casings. 

The officers were then called about a mile northwest to the 5900 block of East 86th Street, where they found two male teens, 17 and 18, suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to St. Vincent Hospital in serious condition. 

Capt. Mike Elder with IMPD said three teens met up with a man in a parking lot on East 82nd Street to buy a cellphone. That’s when some sort of argument started and the man, described as a black male in his 20s, shot two of the three teens. 

The teens drove away to escape gunfire and drove into a parking lot in the 5900 block of East 86th Street and called police. 

On Saturday night, police were still seeking the suspected shooter. If you have any information about this incident, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477). 

After the September fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man during a meetup to sell a cellphone, IMPD reminded the public about “E-Commerce Exchange Zones” at each district headquarters. Those zones are where the public can make private transactions in the department’s parking lot.

The areas typically include 24-hour video surveillance, with officers consistently coming in and out of the building. Those lots are also well lit.

IMPD Sgt. Jim Gillespie added that a couple of things happen when people use the E-Commerce Exchange Zones: “If it is something criminal, they are not going to meet you at a police station. If not, it will make them feel safer.”

In December, IMPD established e-commerce exchange zones at police headquarters across the city: 

• North District Headquarters –  3120 E. 30th St. 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours in the north parking lot
• East District Headquarters – 201 N. Shadeland Ave.
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours outside Door #1
• Southeast District Headquarters – 1150 S. Shelby St.
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited due to construction in the area.*
• Southwest District Headquarters –  551 N. King St. 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours
• Northwest District Headquarters –  3821 Industrial Blvd 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited.  Do not park on the main drive on the north side of the building. *
• Downtown District Headquarters – 39 W. Jackson Place Suite 500
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited to metered parking spots near the building. *