INDIANAPOLIS — High emotions at a funeral on Saturday created an unwanted scene that no family should have to endure after a fight took over a moment of grief.
"It seems as if there were high emotions for whatever reason for whatever side," Antonio Lipscomb said.
Lipscomb says he was attending vocational training at New Direction Church next door from Williams & Bluitt Funeral Home.
"I had seen at least 10-15 police cars," Lipscomb said.
The parking lot quickly spiraled into chaos.
"It just seems like the disregard of the human life and care for the deceased definitely wasn't distributed that day," Lipscomb said.
People started fighting inside the funeral home, sending nearly 150 people into the parking lot scrambling for safety. Witnesses told police at least one person used pepper spray.
"A lot of screaming, a lot of violent languages and violent behavior," Lipscomb said.
IMPD and the emergency response group responded to the scene. IMPD officials said it didn't take long for them to calm down the crowd.
"Williams & Bluitt is a staple in this community," Pastor Kenneth Sullivan at New Direction Church said.
"We know that it's not something that they want. It's something that we don't want. We want to encourage the community to recognize that the businesses that do business in our community, we want to respect them," Sullivan said.
Sullivan said this was yet another incident that could have been avoided. He said his efforts to curb the violence are not in vain, and it does not discourage his push for change.
"We have to continue to push back the darkness and strive to make a difference in our community so that the next generation can grow up different and can have a better mindset," Sullivan said.
One person was arrested in connection to this incident for a stolen gun.
Funeral home manager Aundray Jones said this is disappointing, but they are committed to doing whatever they can to help the community curb the violence.
-
Carmel Police roll out new tech to protect officers during traffic stops
The Carmel police are introducing new technology to protect officers during traffic stops, following a weekend when three Indiana State Police vehicles were struck while parked on the roadside.
Holiday prices rise as tariffs and inflation hit retailers and customers
The most wonderful time of the year could soon become the most expensive as retailers and customers alike deal with rising inflation, new tariffs and higher operating costs this year.
Monroe County cancels homeless camp eviction on county-owned land
Monroe County hoped to remove a homeless community between Switchyard Park and RCA Community Park before Christmas. Instead, the tents will remain for the foreseeable future.
Damien Center urges lawmakers to extend Indiana needle exchange programs
Each year, the Damien Center says they have about 5,000 visits from people in need of clean needles.
