WESTFIELD, Ind. — Westfield police announced the arrest of a 17-year-old from Indianapolis for his alleged role in shots fired at the Pacers Athletic Center on Nov. 5.
According to police, a fight happened inside the facility after a boys basketball game. Police said the suspect then followed a coach out toward the coach's car, yelled at the coach and shot three rounds in the direction of the coach's car as it drove away.
Nobody was injured in the incident, according to police, but four cars were damaged.
Police arrested the teen on preliminary charges of attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and unlawful carrying of a handgun.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office will make the final charging decisions.
13News learned a local seventh grade boys basketball team is now banned from returning to the facility after the incident.
Many families walked out of the Pacers Athletic Center on Nov. 5 to find their cars surrounded by crime scene tape. Westfield police responded around 6:30 p.m. to a report of shots fired in the parking lot.
The Pacers Athletic Center holds eight basketball courts and hosts games for boys and girls of all ages. The facility is part of the massive Grand Park sports complex in Westfield.
Pacers Athletic Center president Evan Suttner wrote in an email message to 13 News, “There was no dispute, argument, or fight inside of our building during or after the game.”
Suttner also provided this message that was sent to coaches:
"Coaches,
There was an incident in the parking lot at the PAC late Sunday evening.
Like you, we are concerned for everyone's safety in our building including the athletes, coaches, officials, staff and fans.
Our staff acted promptly to call Westfield police when they became aware of an incident in the parking lot. There were no incidents in the building, and thankfully no one was injured. We will continue our efforts to provide a safe experience in our facilities, including a more visible full-time security presence in our buildings.
The team involved has been removed from the league and banned from our facilities.
We are very grateful for Westfield Police's quick and effective response.
We will continue to work to provide a safe and fun experience for all involved."
Scott Sylvester's 15-year-old son plays on a team at Pacers Athletic Center. Sylvester and his family had to wait an hour-and-a-half for his car to be released from the investigation scene Sunday night. His car was not hit, but he believes at least two cars were hit by gunshots. Sylvester is a veteran and a gun owner. He posted on Facebook his sadness over the situation, along with photos of the crime scene tape surrounding a portion of the parking lot.
"Nothing like this is worth drawing a gun and firing at someone. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in right now. Everyone please, please be safe," Sylvester wrote.
