INDIANAPOLIS — A wild sequence of events took place in less than 15 minutes Saturday when a 21-year-old man allegedly shot two people, intentionally struck a third with an SUV, shot at three different vehicles and exchanged gunfire with police officers, striking one multiple times, before he was shot by police, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
IMPD officers responded to the 6400 block of Kentstone Drive around 3:40 p.m. Saturday after two people were reported shot. Police found two victims who medics transported to St. Vincent Hospital. A 61-year-old woman was listed in critical condition and a 38-year-old man was stable.
Detectives learned 21-year-old Keith Allender, the victims' neighbor, allegedly shot the woman multiple times while she was inside a vehicle. IMPD said the man was outside the vehicle he was shot. A toddler inside the vehicle was unharmed.
"The shooting was seemingly unprovoked and no disturbance preceded the shooting," a statement from IMPD said. "The female shooting victim was able to drive a short distance away."
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Police said Allender then intentionally struck a 55-year-old woman with an SUV while she attempted to provide assistance to the female shooting victim. She was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in stable condition.
Allender drove away in the SUV and allegedly fired gunshots at three vehicles while driving in the 3500 block of West 62nd Street. Nobody was injured.
IMPD officers found Allender around 3:44 p.m. as he drove the SUV near West 62nd Street and North Michigan Road. Police tried to detain him, but IMPD said Allender got out of the vehicle and fired shots at two officers, which struck one officer's vehicle. He then continued driving southbound on Michigan Road and a pursuit began.
According to IMPD, Allender drove southbound on Michigan Road, westbound on West 30th Street and stopped in the 1600 block of West 30th Street around 3:50 p.m. when he exchanged gunfire with five officers.
An officer, a two-year veteran, was shot multiple times and transported to Methodist Hospital in good condition. She has been released from the hospital.
Allender was shot during the exchange and transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. IMPD said officers recovered his handgun at the scene. He had a valid handgun permit.
Allender was placed under arrest and faces preliminary charges of three counts of attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office will make a decision on formal charges.
IMPD said multiple officers had body-worn cameras, which were on at the time of the incident. At least once police vehicle also had a dash camera that was activated.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct a criminal investigation, and the Marion County Prosecutor's Office is being consulted.
IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative investigation, and the officers who fired their guns are on administrative leave.
The Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing to determine whether the officers' actions were within departmental policy.
On Thursday, the family of those who were shot released the following statement:
Our two family members were involved in the horrific, senseless shooting events on Kentstone Drive on Saturday, May 29, 2021, while talking in the driveway to one another, as they often do. The experience was extremely difficult and heartbreaking for everyone present and especially for the two wounded (a son and his mother), the victim’s children who were both present, and the others who were directly impacted immediately following the unprovoked shooting. While our family members are continuing to heal and will face long days in the future, we are grateful that they have survived this tragic event. We would like to thank all emergency responders for fulfilling their duty to protect and serve our family members that day. We are also grateful to the Good Samaritan who was injured while attempting to provide aid to our wounded relative and comfort to the toddler in the backseat of the car. We appreciate your prayers for healing and attribute our strength and peace to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana anonymously at 317-262-8477.
