INDIANAPOLIS — One person is dead, four more were injured and several cars were damaged following a shooting at a block party on the northeast side of Indianapolis late Monday night.
According to IMPD, officers arrived at the 3200 Block of Forest Manor just after 11 p.m.
Police said they found one victim who had been shot. That victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
The deceased victim was later identified as 16-year-old Serenity Wilson.
A short time later, three other individuals arrived at local hospitals suffering from gunshot injuries. They were all reported to be in stable condition.
Police say another person arrived at a local hospital later with injuries not related to gunshot wounds. That person is listed in good condition.
Officers also found several cars that had been damaged during the chaos of the incident.
A preliminary investigation shows a block party was being held in the area at the time of the shooting. Shots were fired following a disturbance.
Pastor Donald Edwards Jr. says he opened his church Monday night to help the family of the 16-year-old.
“Just very sad. From what they told me, she was a Straight-A student — An honor roll student. She was just a good girl,” Edwards said.
Edwards says his church, Church of Glory, was hit multiple times by the gunfire. The crime scene tape on Tuesday afternoon covered roughly a block.
“From 11 p.m. until about 10 this morning, I stayed with the family to encourage them. At the time, they didn’t know if it was their daughter or not,” Edwards said.
Edwards says he was heartbroken by the news. He is going to do what he can to help the family during this time.
Edwards told the family to lean on their faith during this time.
“It gets you sad at times, but you just keep persevering,” Edwards said.
IMPD is asking anyone with information or video footage related to this incident to contact Detective Kyle Hoover at 317-327-3475 or via e-mail at Kyle.Hoover@indy.gov.
Those who would like to make an anonymous tip can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 (TIPS).
