IU student killed by stray bullet in Brooklyn
NEW YORK (AP) — Police say an Indiana University student has been killed by a stray bullet in New York City.
Police say 20-year-old Ethan Williams, of Indianapolis, was sitting on a stoop in Brooklyn with a group of friends when several shots were fired at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
Williams was shot in the chest. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Williams’ father tells WABC-TV that his son was a sophomore in the film media program Indiana University and was a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council of Indianapolis.
Police have made no arrests.
The shooting comes a week after another IU student was shot and killed in Georgia.
The Williams family released the following statement:
On October 24, we lost our beautiful son Ethan. He dreamed of visiting New York since he was a boy and saw the movie “Spiderman.” Ethan was living that dream on a trip to New York when he was struck by a stray bullet and killed.
Ethan, a sophomore film student at Indiana University, loved people, particularly those who were marginalized or hurting. If he had the opportunity to say something to the shooter, we know that he would invite him for a cup of coffee and ask to hear their story. He would forgive without delay. Ethan always saw beyond the surface and took the time to help others feel seen, important and loved.
We understand that police do not believe Ethan was the intended target of the shooter. We ask anyone with information about the shooting to please come forward and assist with the investigation.
The family appreciates the outpouring of support, and we will not and do not plan to respond to any additional inquiries from the media. We ask for privacy while we grieve and focus on figuring out what the world will look like without Ethan.
Thank you.
The Williams Family