IMPD: 2 teens arrested following pair of violent crimes

INDIANAPOLIS — A 14 -year-old and 16-year-old are now facing possible charges after being arrested for two separate crimes that reportedly involved firearms and violence.

Shooting on near north side

On March 2, officers with IMPD’s north district responded to a reported shooting near the intersection of E 23rd Street and N Alabama Street.   When officers arrived, they found two juvenile girls who had been shot near Craig Kids Memorial Park.

The underage victims were transported to area hospitals and survived their injuries.

After the shooting, detectives were able to identify the suspect as a 14-year-old male. On Monday, detectives with the department’s violent crimes unit located and arrested the teen. The teen has been preliminarily charged with:

• Two counts of battery with a deadly weapon
• Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
• Dangerous possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Walgreens armed robbery

On the evening of March 9, officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery of a Walgreens located in the 7500 block of Shadeland Avenue. According to the post, a suspect reportedly stole cash from the store’s cash register and left the scene.

On Monday afternoon, officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 6800 block of Bayview Club Drive. While at the scene, the post read that a person allegedly fired a gunshot from an apartment balcony.

Officers were contacted by the mother of a 16-year-old who lived in the apartment complex. The mother reportedly told officers that the teen fired the gunshot, who was then taken into custody.

After a search of the apartment, the post read that officers reportedly located several firearms and ammunition. As the investigation occurred, detectives learned that the 16-year-old “may have also been responsible for the armed robbery” at Walgreens.

The teen conducted an interview with detectives and was then placed under arrest for the following preliminary charges:

• Armed robbery
• Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
• Dangerous possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

IMPD reaction on both cases

Police say both cases reflect an ongoing fight to try and combat youth violence.

“Two juveniles committing violent crimes in our city is not acceptable,” said IMPD captain Shane Foley. “Today, Indianapolis is safer because these two juveniles committing violent crimes are off the streets.”

In addition to the pair of arrests, two more juveniles were hurt when at least 27 shots were fired into a home on the west side during an apparent drive-by shooting on Monday night.

Police reports show the same home on Butternut Lane, which has several bullets holes in the front windows and siding, was also targeted and shot at last month.

“You’ve got to understand, this is trauma meeting trauma,” said community activist Antonio Patton.

Patton said all the incidents illustrate the importance of parents being involved in their kids’ lives.

“The kids call it being in our business and if we’re not in their business then we’re not involved in what they got going on,” said Patton.

“These are individuals that shouldn’t have firearms. We need parents and adults and mentors to step up and guide these young people,” said Foley.

The criminal cases against the two juveniles suspects remain in juvenile court.

At the same time, anyone with information on the unsolved shooting on the west side is still asked to contact either IMPD or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.