INDIANAPOLIS — An 11-year-old boy is recovering after being struck by stray gunfire Thursday evening.
During an IMPD press briefing regarding a violent 24 hours in Indianapolis, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey made reference to an 11-year-old who was injured when stray gunfire fell from the sky and struck the child.
IMPD issued a release around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 regarding a walk-in person shot at Community East Hospital. Following Bailey's press conference, IMPD confirmed the victim was 11 years old, and the incident is believed to have taken place in the 1100 block of North Tuxedo Street, near 10th Street and Sherman Drive.
The 11-year-old boy's father, Arthur Ragsdale, told 13News he took his son, Jataeviuos, to visit family in Indianapolis for the Fourth of July holiday. The Ragsdales reside in Terry, Mississippi, a town roughly 17 miles south of Jackson, and had just arrived at their relatives' house on Tuxedo Street to begin lighting off fireworks when Jataevious began complaining about a pain in his back.
Jataevious was taken to Community East Hospital, where doctors confirmed a bullet from a .22 caliber weapon was lodged in his back. Doctors said the bullet went through Jataevious' hoodie and T-shirt.
According to Arthur, his son is doing well with the recovery process, and the family said they will consult their primary care physician back in Mississippi to see if the bullet can be removed.
IMPD has not indicated if any possible suspects have been identified in this investigation.