BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WRTV) — An 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting on Kirkwood Avenue during Little 500 weekend in Bloomington.
Lewis May, 18, is charged with:
- Two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, each a Level 5 felony
- One count of criminal recklessness – shooting a firearm into an occupied vehicle, a Level 5 felony
- One count of pointing a firearm at another, a Level 6 felony
According to Monroe County Jail records, May was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 5.
The charges stem from the April 26 shooting that occurred around midnight after Indiana University's annual Little 500 bicycle race.
Bloomington Police Department said an officer was monitoring a large crowd in the 400 block of East Kirkwood Avenue when shots rang out. The crowd scattered after multiple shots were fired.
Police said multiple people were wounded. Five female victims sustained gunshots or were injured by bullet fragments. Others suffered cuts and scrapes while fleeing the scene.
The victims ranged in age from 17 to 22.
None of the injured individuals were Indiana University students, according to police.
Security footage shows moments before the shooting
At the start of the investigation, detectives reviewed security camera footage and cell phone video from nearby businesses. On video, detectives witnessed two women fighting near the Five Guys on Kirkwood Avenue minutes before shots were fired.
During the altercation, a man – later identified as Lewis – is seen waving a gun towards the crowd around the fighting women. The man confronted one of the women, and soon after, fired a round into the sidewalk near the Five Guys entrance.
Multiple callers identified May as a suspect
Taking stills from the video footage, police posted images on social media on April 30 asking for information on the suspect. Within an hour, investigators say multiple callers identified him as the 18-year-old May.
Police did not locate May until Tuesday, when officers surveilling a home on South Dorchester Drive watched May leave in a vehicle.
Officers followed the vehicle to a restaurant in downtown Bloomington, where May was eventually taken into custody.
During a search of his home, police found a 9mm handgun and a backpack that resembled the one seen in security footage.
May was booked into the Monroe County jail sometime late Tuesday. Online records show he was due in court for a hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Information needed on second shooting incident
Bloomington police, in their statement Wednesday, added they believe a second shooting happened in front of Chipotle, 420 E. Kirkwood Ave., shortly after the Five Guys incident.
Two victims sustained injuries at Five Guys, while detectives believe a shooting at Chipotle injured the other three victims.
Anyone with video from the area near the Chipotle or anyone with any additional information was asked to contact Det. Chris Scott at 812-339-4477.
