INDIANAPOLIS — One man was shot and killed outside Thomas Carr Howe High School Tuesday night, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
On Wednesday, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 19-year-old Walker Lewis Whatley III.
Police say a basketball game was taking place inside of Howe, which is not an operational High School, but is still used for sporting events.
Vision Academy says the game involved its middle school students. Vision Academy is a charter school on the northwest side of Indianapolis.
Investigators say dispute in the parking lot lead to the shooting.
Whately III is a former student at Vision Academy.
Parents told WRTV the gun violence hits too close to home. "[I] Was kinda paranoid, I was a little on the edge. It could have been my child," Rian McClung said.
McClug said her daughter didn't attend the game, but her friends did.
"They were going to a game , they weren't looking for violence. They were just trying to stay home," McClung said.
McClung's daughter goes to school at Vision Academy. She kept her daughter home from school Wednesday out of fear for her safety.
Vision Academy said they will have extra staff on hand to provide support to students and staff.
McClung said she hopes this serves as a reminder that life is too short.
"Protect your babies at all costs. Check on them if you can, call them during the day. A lot of our kids have cell phones so its easier for us to communicate with them," she said.
IMPD says officers spoke to a person of interest and several witnesses stayed on scene. Multiple shell casings were found.
Police say after consulting with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, the person of interest has been released pending further investigation.
Police say there is not an active threat to the community.
Indianapolis Public Schools confirms to WRTV that they own the building and the shooting happened during a non-IPS sponsored event. The gym is rented out for events, police say.
IMPD Officers are on-scene of a shooting that took place in the 4900 block of Julian Avenue.
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) March 8, 2023
This incident took place outside an IPS building, where a basketball game was going on inside the gymnasium.
There no active threat to the community or school.
More updates to come. pic.twitter.com/8MyNrgMg7F
