IMPD: Teen arrested after NW side fatal shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — A teenager was arrested after a fatal shooting on the northwest side of Indianapolis last month.

According to officials with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, a 17-year-old was taken into custody on Monday after he was identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting in the 5200 block of Austral Drive on Sept. 30. IMPD did not identify the suspect by name.

IMPD officers responded to the 5200 block of Austral Drive on the afternoon of Sept. 30 following an incomplete 911 call. According to previous reports,

officers found an adult man, later identified as 38-year-old William Deaton II, with a reported gunshot wound. Deaton was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to an update from IMPD, officers were told at the time by witnesses that the suspect reportedly ran from the scene just before they arrived. While IMPD K9 and SWAT officers attempted to locate the suspect, he was not found at the time.

As part of the investigation, detectives used witness accounts, video footage and forensic evidence to identify the suspect as the 17-year-old.

“Detectives learned the incident began when a female went to the location to meet up with a male,” the update read. “The male became aggressive with the female and pointed a gun at her, causing the female to scream for help. It is believed (Deaton) went to help the female when the suspect… fired several shots, fatally wounding (Deaton).”

At the scene, IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson said at the time that this violence was “senseless” and “stupid.”

“So think, if you’re gonna have a firearm, what action you use that firearm for,” Thompson said. “Is it lawful, or is it unlawful? Because people are getting hurt out here, and it’s senseless and stupid. (IMPD Police Chief Chris Bailey) has talked about it. We’ve got a prosecutor who’s really pissed off about it. This is stupid. People’s lives are being taken away for stupid reasons. We have to do better.”

On Monday, IMPD’s violent crimes unit located the teen and took him into custody. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision.