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Nearly 200 emergency calls to hotel, police concerned

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two people were shot and killed at the Rodeway Inn in three days. The calls are the latest of the nearly 200 times emergency responders had to rush to the location so far this year.

On June 12, police were called the the Shadeland Avenue hotel around 2:15 a.m. due to a disturbance. Police found Joenathan Rice, 46, lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound in his head. Rice was pronounced dead at the scene.

On June 14, police were called back to the Rodeway Inn around 11:13 p.m. after someone heard gunshots. Officers found an adult man, who has not yet been publicly identified, inside a room suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital where he died during surgery.

“A homicide on Friday and a homicide on Sunday certainly causes us concern because of the location of the hotel and the fact that we’ve had two homicides there in rapid succession,” said Lt. Richard Riddle with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

So far this year, police say there have been 197 emergency runs to the hotel between IMPD, IFD, and IEMS. Among the emergency calls are reports of gunshots, assaults, and 42 disturbances.

“Nearly 200 runs in a half a year’s time is concerning  to us. That is out of the norm for most locations throughout Marion County,” said Riddle.

Rodeway Inn’s owner said off camera that he kicks problem people out of the hotel. The owner also claims the problems have just started.

Police said the constant calls are putting a strain on public safety resources.

“That drain on taxpayer’s resources is of concern to us. Not only from a public safety standpoint, but on a community safety standpoint,” Lt. Riddle said. “We’re working to figure out exactly what the root cause is at this particular location and hopefully work with the owners of the hotel to solve these problems.”

Police said the Rodeway Inn’s business license is in good standing with the city of Indianapolis, however that could change based upon several factors. Those factors include the number of police, fire, and EMS runs to the location.