INDIANAPOLIS — Just before midnight on Aug. 25, police say two armed teens wearing ski masks approached a man standing in his apartment's parking lot on the corner of 34th Street and Ashley Lane on the northwest side of Indianapolis.
Court records show both teens, ages 14 and 17, pointed their guns at the man and took an iPhone out of his pocket.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the teens backed off the victim when they noticed a police squad car pass them during the armed robbery. The victim of the robbery attempted to walk back to the apartment building, but before he was able to get away, the teens allegedly pushed a gun into his back.
The victim reportedly grabbed one of the robber's guns, which led to a struggle and the gun firing several times. One of those gunshots hit the 14-year-old robbery suspect in the chest.
"Anecdotally, we're seeing too much of it," IMPD Lt. Shane Foley said. "We're seeing too many times when juveniles are possessing firearms and getting hurt, getting shot as a result of it."
Police said they found the 14-year-old sitting in the driveway in front of a house in the 3400 block of Beeler Avenue. Court records show he remains at Riley Hospital for Children with a collapsed lung.
"This is a great example, an unfortunate example, where a 14-year-old was shot, and it was something that should not have happened," Foley said.
IMPD said they've seen too many recent cases of juveniles illegally having guns and acting reckless.
"This is something that we as a community can stop. Parents can take a bigger role, adults can take a more proactive step in making sure that our juveniles aren't committing crimes, aren't out at midnight with a firearm attempting to rob somebody," Foley said. "It's unacceptable."
The 17-year-old suspect is charged with armed robbery, a Level 3 felony, as well as dangerous possession of a firearm by a minor.