Families horrified by homicide investigation in apartment parking lot
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Families gathered Wednesday afternoon on their patios at the Addison Creek Apartments and watched as homicide detectives placed evidence markers around a gunshot victim.
Two men were gunned down at Port O Call Drive and Mickley Avenue around 2:30 p.m. by an unidentified passenger in a passing vehicle, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.
One victim was pronounced dead in the parking lot of the west side apartment complex.
The second victim was shot in the shoulder and stabilized at a local hospital.
No suspect, vehicle or driver descriptions were available Wednesday night.
“I don’t feel safe here anymore,” a resident who requested to remain anonymous told News 8. “We had to witness someone dead on the ground.”
Detectives photographed the deceased and collected evidence in the parking lot and courtyard area directly beneath the balcony of her family’s upstairs apartment unit.
Several children playing in the courtyard appeared unperturbed by the homicide investigation unfolding less than 20 feet away.
“My son heard gunshots right as he was about to walk outside,” the resident said. “He was just about to take out the trash. That was scary for me because he could have gotten caught in the crossfire. He’s only 17.”
Her children, visibly shaken by what they had seen and heard, followed her out to the family’s car and prepared to spend the night in a hotel.
“I’m scared,” she said. “I’m not staying home tonight. We need to leave.”
The shooting Wednesday afternoon wasn’t the first time violent crime broke out too close to home, she added.
“I’ve heard gunshots almost every night,” the resident told News 8. “But you never hear police. You just hear the shots.”
Genae Cook, a spokesperson for Indianapolis police, urged residents and other witnesses to cooperate with authorities.
“I’m sure the community in the apartments have seen things,” she said. “It’s imperative for them to notify the police with the information they have. The only way we’re going to be able to keep crime out of [here] is if we all work together.”
Anybody with information about the west side shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.