Instagram posts lead to weapons charges being filed against 17-year-old in Indiana’s adult court system

INDIANAPOLIS — A 17-year-old is spending his Labor Day in jail after a series of Instagram posts led to felony weapons charges being filed in adult court.

The suspect was previously convicted of dangerous possession of a firearm in juvenile court.

His second offense at just 17 years old resulted in new charges being filed in adult court.

Prosecutors claim that, starting in June, the 17-year-old repeatedly posted pictures and videos online that showed him holding a black handgun with a distinctive red grip.

A detective with the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force spotted the posts on Instagram in August.

Last week, the suspect allegedly went live and swore he was going to commit violence in the city, while again pointing the same gun at the camera.

That same day, officers with IMPD, the Beech Grove Police Department and Westfield Police Department set up surveillance and made a traffic stop along Sherman Drive, where 17-year-old Labrawn Warren was arrested for dangerous possession of a firearm as an adult.

“How does he feel affirmed in this society if it’s not with guns?” said Kareem Hines with New BOY. “It is a status symbol. It’s unfortunate, and it’s tearing the fabric our community apart.”

Hines, who uses boxing and other events to connect to at-risk kids, said teens glorifying guns and violence has become all too common.

He urges parents to get engaged in their kid’s lives at a young age.

“There’s no solution in sight,” Hines said.  “We have no help coming if we don’t adopt the mindset of not mine. The streets will not get mine. The courts will not get mine. Ask yourself, ‘What am I going to do every day to affirm to my child that his life is more important than a social media click?’”

The goal of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force, which investigated Warren’s case, is to prevent violence by targeting repeat offenders.

According to court records, Warren told police that he had handled the gun seen in the social media posts.

Warren is being held on a $15,000 bond.  A trial date has been set for late October with a punishment of between one and five years in prison possible if he is convicted.