IMPD: Man arrested in relation to shooting death of teen at east side gas station

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man has been arrested in relation to the shooting death of a teen at a gas station on the east side of Indianapolis.

According to a news release from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, 19-year-old Michael Jones was taken into custody on Monday on the following charges:

• One count of murder
• One count of robbery resulting in a serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony
• One count of theft – when the property stolen is a firearm, a Level 5 felony

On July 11, officers responded to a report of a person shot at a gas station in the 2900 block of North Mitthoeffer Road. Officials said that when officers arrived, they found a man, identified in court documents as 16-year-old Rodney Ward Jr., who was reportedly shot.

Ward was taken to a local hospital at that time and was later pronounced dead, officials said.

As part of the investigation, IMPD homicide detectives identified Jones as the suspect through “various investigative efforts and the assistance of community members.”

The release said Jones was taken into custody on Monday. Jones was reportedly inside a vehicle with two others. The two others, including one juvenile, were reportedly found to have firearms and were taken into custody on firearms-related charges.

Court documents indicate that Jones’ initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning.