Hogsett: Curfew Planned to be Enforced Following Mass Shooting
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett spoke to the recent gun violence that has happened downtown during a press conference Saturday afternoon.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey also provided an update to the mass shooting from Saturday morning where two people were killed and at least five others were injured. A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old boy died later at a hospital.
Six victims in total were transported to area hospitals. A seventh victim took themselves to Eskenazi hospital. The ages of those shot were 15, 16, 17, 19 and 21.
“I am thinking of and praying for the victims of the shootings that happened in our city,” said Hogsett. “It is disheartening that we as a city must come together in this manner, especially after a day filled with celebrations and Independence Day festivities.”
“Two families are having to grapple with the most unimaginable pain of finding out that they will never see their child again,” Hogsett added.
The mayor said a curfew will be enforced for the city in the coming days.
“There is no reason a young person should have a firearm. Period,” Hogsett said. “There is no reason a young person should be downtown after hours without parental supervision. Period.”
Mayor Hogsett told Chief Bailey that he will do everything in his power to make sure IMPD has all the necessary tools they need to hold people accountable and to keep people safe while downtown.
“What I’ve seen downtown over the last few weeks is absolutely ridiculous,” said Chief Bailey. “Lawlessness, disrespect, reckless behavior from people of all ages.”
Bailey again called on parents to take better responsibility of their children.
“We need our parents and guardians to speak up and to take charge,” he said. “Any kind of curfew enforcement needs to be based in help and not punishment.”
Chief Bailey said Indiana State Police troopers will be added to the force that patrols the downtown area. There will also be security cameras placed in “areas of concern.”
The following statement was put out by Indianapolis City-County Council Majority Leader Maggie A. Lewis:
“Like many in our community, I, too, am sad and disheartened learning about the violent incidents that occurred downtown last night. Loss of life caused by gun violence at any age is tragic. There are no words when that victim is a child whose life has only begun. My thoughts and prayers are with the families whose lives will never be the same, and our community mourns your loss.
It is imperative that we unite as one city and support our youth leaders, community organizers, public safety officials, elected officials and all individuals and address this situation. To address the violence we’re witnessing throughout our city, we must distribute resources to support efforts, including but not limited to:
Paying for downtown police overtime.
Providing a minimum of three Emergency Response Group (ERG) squads on Friday and Saturday nights through the end of the summer.
Maintain public safety presence in Broad Ripple and Castleton.
Readdress the proper implementation of the Enforce Curfew Law
Direct dollars (private and public) to have social action organizations work with police to de-escalate situations.
Indianapolis is our city, and it will take all of us to protect our youth, families, and neighborhoods. I look forward to working alongside community members interested in ensuring that all who visit our downtown and neighboring communities are safe.”
