IMPD: Man arrested for murder after fatal shooting near Eagle Creek Park on July 4

INDIANAPOLIS — Charges of murder and attempted murder were unsealed on Wednesday against a 20-year-old man accused in a shooting that left one person dead and another injured near Eagle Creek Park.

According to court records, multiple witnesses claim Eython Garcia got out of a kayak along Eagle Creek when he was confronted by a small group of people.

The witnesses claim the confrontation turned deadly when Garcia reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire on that group.

The violence took place along a gravel path leading to Eagle Creek on the Fourth of July, just after 7:30 p.m.

When officers arrived, they located two men with reported gunshot wounds. One of the men, later identified as 23-year-old David Lira-Mojica, was later pronounced dead. The other man was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Officials with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department praised witnesses for identifying Garcia as the gunman, leading to his arrest this week.

“It’s certainly important. Police can’t do it alone. Even though this case lasted a couple of weeks, our detectives never gave up because we still had witness cooperation,” said IMPD Executive Officer William Young.

According to the affidavit, Garcia claimed he was confronted by six or seven people who were upset over some messages he reportedly sent to one of their girlfriends. Garcia insisted the angry group “all tried to jump him” so he pulled out a gun.

Witnesses claim Lira-Mojica told Garcia to drop the gun, saying “Let’s fight like a man.”

Instead, Garcia allegedly opened fire in the wooded area along Lafayette Road, killing the 23-year-old, wounding a second man and then firing several more shots at witnesses as they ran for cover.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said Garcia has been charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, a Level 1 felony, two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, each a Level 5 felony, and one count of criminal recklessness, a Level 5 felony.

“We’ll continuously do everything we can to reduce gun violence. We’re going to hold those people accountable who pick up a firearm and hurt someone,” said Young.

While detectives investigated that shooting, five days later police were called to shots fired at Garcia’s home on Falcon Lane.

That shooting led to a neighbor’s home being hit by gunfire. A man named Manuel Pineda-Enamorado was also charged with criminal recklessness for that shooting.

IMPD says both acts of violence connected to Garcia illustrates why disputes should be solved with words instead of weapons.

“It’s so important for us to get in front of those conflicts and get those resolved before someone picks up a firearm and hurts someone,” said Young.

Garcia is set to make his initial court hearing later this week.  He’s now being held without bond pending trial.