Indianapolis, Indiana – Seven children were wounded in a shooting incident outside a downtown mall over the weekend, leaving most with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
The victims, ranging in age from 12 to 16, were involved in what police described as an ongoing conflict that escalated into violence. Notably, one of the injured girls is 16, while the other three are 14. Alongside them, two boys aged 16 and one aged 12 were also wounded in the incident.
Following the shooting, emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, transporting the injured children to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. While one victim was initially reported to be in critical condition, they have since stabilized, police announced.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is actively investigating the incident, revealing that there may have been more than one shooter involved. Detectives are currently examining security camera footage and pursuing leads to apprehend the responsible parties.
During a press conference, Police Chief Christopher Bailey emphasized that the shooting was the result of an ongoing conflict and not a random act of violence. He urged the community to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.
In response to the incident, officials expressed deep concern over the use of firearms to resolve conflicts among young individuals. There has been a noticeable pattern of youth gathering in downtown areas late at night, prompting calls for parental involvement and vigilance.
This shooting marks the third such incident in as many weekends in Indianapolis, underscoring the need for swift action to address escalating violence among young residents. As investigations continue, law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward to ensure justice is served.