Seven children were injured in a shooting outside a mall in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday night, with most of them suffering non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
The victims, aged 12 to 16, were involved in what police believe was not a random act of violence but rather the result of an ongoing conflict that escalated. The shooting took place on a block outside Circle Centre Mall, where police officers on patrol heard gunshots just after 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found several people with injuries.
Emergency medical services took the injured children to hospitals, where one victim remained in critical condition overnight but has since stabilized. The other children had non-life-threatening injuries, with three already released from Riley Hospital for Children and two still hospitalized.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department stated that more than one firearm may have been used in the shooting, and they suspect that there were multiple shooters involved. Two children were arrested for resisting law enforcement, but there is no confirmation that they were connected to the gunfire.
The incident has raised concerns about young people resolving conflicts with firearms, prompting the police to call for an end to such violence. An investigation is ongoing, with detectives reviewing security camera footage and pursuing leads in the case.
This shooting comes as the latest in a series of violent incidents in Indianapolis, with similar incidents occurring in the past few weekends. The city has seen a spike in gun-related violence, with several individuals injured or killed in recent shootings.
Authorities urge parents to be aware of their children’s whereabouts, especially during late hours, and to take an active role in ensuring their safety. The curfew laws for minors are in place, but enforcement is challenging due to resource limitations.
Overall, the community is shaken by the recent events and is calling for greater measures to address the root causes of violence among young people. The police department’s elite team of detectives is working diligently to solve the case and prevent further tragedies.