INDIANAPOLIS — Police have arrested a 19-year-old man accused of shooting two men inside the Jewish Community Center over a disagreement about a basketball game on Saturday.
Police believe Latrell Williams, 19, and two other men were playing basketball during open gym time at the recreational facility when they got into an argument about the game.
It was during this argument that IMPD said Williams shot the two men and got away before police arrived.
Officers were called to the facility, located at 6701 Hoover Road in the Delaware Trails neighborhood in Meridian Mills, at around 2 p.m.
IMPD said when officers arrived, at least one person was providing medical attention to the men. An IMPD officer also applied a tourniquet to one of the men before they were both taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police have not released further information identifying the men who were shot.
An IMPD spokesperson emphasized that, "there is no indication this incident was religiously motivated or in any way a hate crime."
After the shooting, police warned the public to avoid the area inside a search perimeter in the adjoining neighborhood to try to locate the suspect, later identified as Williams. Meanwhile, detectives spoke with witnesses and were working to review surveillance video.
IMPD also alerted the public that there wasn't an ongoing threat at the facility. Still, the JCC posted an alert on its website that said, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the JCC is currently closed. We will update our website when we are able to reopen. Thank you and we apologize for the inconvenience."
The center reopened Sunday morning at 7 a.m.
When Williams wasn't found Saturday, police took the perimeter down.
He remained at large until Wednesday, when IMPD's violent crime unit found and arrested him for two counts of battery with a deadly weapon. Formal charges have not yet been filed against Williams.
JCC security message
Sunday afternoon, the JCC shared a statement from CEO Eric Koehler about the incident: “We are saddened, shocked and outraged at the incident that occurred in our facility. The safety and security of JCC members and guests is of utmost importance, and we will continue to review these protocols.”
The JCC responded to members with another message that was shared with media, "We recognize that the JCC is meant to be a safe harbor in the community, and that trust was taken advantage of."
The message also listed security measures at the facility that include off-duty IMPD officers providing on-site security at all times and utilizing Homeland Security grants for cameras, planter bollard vehicle barriers and bullet-resistant film on windows.
The center is making counseling available to members after Saturday's shooting.
Anyone with information about this shooting is being asked to call Aggravated Assault Detective Roberto Sanchez at 317-327-3475 or e-mail him Roberto.Sanchez@indy.gov. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.