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IMPD: 1 dies in shooting near American Legion Mall

UPDATE: The person killed Thursday morning in a shooting near American Legion Mall was identified Friday as 52-year-old Anthony Drummer.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was killed Thursday morning in a shooting near the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis, and police on Thursday afternoon announced a 30-year-old homicide suspect was arrested.

Howard Moffitt has been preliminarily charged with murder.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in an afternoon news release, “Thanks to community assistance, detectives were able to identify Moffitt as the suspect in this case.”

Howard Moffitt (Photo Provided/Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department)

IMPD officers were called at 6:50 a.m. Thursday to a shooting at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Walnut streets. That’s at the east side of American Legion Mall, just north of the downtown War Memorial.

Officers arrived to find a man who had been shot. He died at the scene.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office by Thursday afternoon had not yet shared the man’s name.

Investigators talked to several people who saw the shooting.

IMPD says officers found several backpacks at the scene and requested search warrants to look through them

Investigators have not said what led to the shooting. They publicly said they were not sure why the victim was at the park-like mall.

Thursday’s fatal shooting came two days after Mayor Joe Hogsett announced plans for Indy Parks to take over management of University Park, which is south of the Indiana War Memorial. The partnership between the city and the Indiana War Memorial Commission will allow park rangers and IMPD officers to enforce rules on University Park property. The commission will retain ownership of the park. Mobile IMPD public safety cameras were installed at University Park, but it’s unclear Thursday if they’d captured video of the fatal shooting.

Anyone with information on Thursday’s shooting should contact the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475.

News 8’s Gregg Montgomery contributed to this report.

News releases

“On Thursday, July 20, 2023, IMPD Homicide detectives arrested 30-year-old Howard Moffitt for his alleged role in a homicide.

“On Thursday, July 20, 2023, just before 7:00 am, IMPD Downtown District officers were dispatched to 700 block of N. Meridian Street, on a report of a person shot. Officers arrived and located an unresponsive adult male, with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound(s). IEMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

“While on the scene officers detained Moffitt as a person of interest. IMPD homicide detectives responded to the scene to further the investigation. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence. The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) assisted and determined the exact cause of death to be homicide.

“Thanks to community assistance, detectives were able to identify Moffitt as the suspect in this case. He was charged with murder.

“The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) will make the final charging decision.  

“Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Brad Nuetzman at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or by email at Brad.Nuetzman@indy.gov

“**Media inquiries must be made to the IMPD Public Affairs Office **

“Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. This release may be updated as more information becomes available. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.  

“A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.’

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department news release sent 5:18 p.m. July 20, 2023

“INCIDENT TYPE: Homicide

“INCIDENT LOCATION: 777 N Meridian Street

“ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:  Det Brad Nuetzman; Brad.Nuetzman@indy.gov

“**Media inquiries must be made to the IMPD Public Affairs Office.

“INDIANAPOLIS –  On Thursday, July 20, 2023, shortly before 7:00 am, IMPD officers were dispatched to N Pennsylvania Street and E Walnut St on a report of a person shot.  When officers arrived, they located an adult male with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound(s). IEMS arrived and unfortunately the victim was pronounced deceased on scene.   

“Officers spoke with multiple witnesses who provided them information about the incident.  That information led officers to detain a person who detectives are calling a person of interest.

“Homicide detectives responded to the scene to begin the investigation. There are multiple backpacks on scene and detectives are hopeful to find evidence inside them.  Detectives are applying for search warrants prior to searching the backpacks.  In addition to speaking with witnesses, detectives will attempt to review any video footage from cameras in the area.

“The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to assist in identifying and collecting potential forensic evidence. The Marion County Coroner’s Office will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the name of the decedent once proper next-of-kin notification has been made.

“Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective Brad Nuetzman at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Brad.Nuetzman@indy.gov. 

“Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. This release may be updated as more information becomes available. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.”

Lt. Shane Foley, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department public affairs office, via email at 9:12 a.m. July 20, 2023

Statement

“This is yet another tragic instance of violence in our city. American Legion Mall Park is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis — a place where residents walk their dogs and go to work, and where visitors come to the World War II Memorial. After two terms, Joe Hogsett has failed to keep Indianapolis safe. We are on track for over 200 homicides for the fourth year in a row. We need a change in leadership. We don’t have to live like this.”

Jefferson Shreve, Republican candidate for Indianapolis mayor