INDIANAPOLIS — A driver is recovering and a suspect has been charged in Indianapolis after a shooting on Interstate 70 over the weekend.
Indiana State Police was contacted by IMPD about a person who arrived at a hospital after being shot while driving on I-70, near Shadeland Avenue, around 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4.
According to police, the shooting happened on the ramp from I-465 southbound to I-70 westbound.
The victim told police that a white Dodge Charger or Challenger pulled up next to his pickup truck on the highway and seemingly wanted to race. A moment later, he said he "felt something enter his body," followed by a loud bang. The victim then realized he had been shot and drove himself to the hospital.
Police searched the area where the shooting allegedly happened and said they found three 9mm shell casings. They then checked license plate cameras in the area and were able to identify a suspect car with a Texas plate.
Officers said they were then able to track the suspect's car to Top Golf in Fishers and get purchase history and surveillance video from the business.
Investigators were then able to identify the driver and owner of the car, and traffic cameras showed it in Franklin. Police in Franklin spotted the car at a motel on North Lovers Lane.
The car was searched, along with the motel room, and a gun was found with ammunition matching the shell casings investigators found at the scene of the shooting.
Police also detained two people for questioning.
One of the men, who said he was a passenger in the car, said the pickup truck driver hit their car and almost caused them to lose control. The passenger said they then chased the pickup for 10 to 13 minutes before the driver fired several shots at the pickup.
Detectives arrested the suspect, a 24-year-old man from Donna, Texas, on a preliminary charge of attempted murder.
On Feb. 9, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office charged Ernesto Espinoza with aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon.
Police did not share an update on the victim's condition.
This is the fourth incident in 2024 of shots being fired on an Indianapolis interstate.
In 2023, troopers in Indianapolis investigated 56 incidents of gunfire on Indianapolis interstates. In that same area, troopers investigated an additional 236 incidents of road rage where a gun was reported.
Indiana State Police strongly discourages drivers from engaging in any type of road rage as more violence is reported.