INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD has arrested a suspect after nine people were injured in a stabbing at a restaurant and lounge on Indianapolis' northwest side early Monday.
The incident was reported around 3:45 a.m. June 17 at Miami's Garden, located in a strip mall in the 7100 block of Woodland Drive, near West 71st Street and Interstate 465.
IMPD Ofc. William Young said responding officers located a total of seven people with stab wounds or other trauma.
One "person of interest" with trauma was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Four other people were also transported to local hospitals, two in critical condition and two described as "stable."
In an update Monday morning, an IMPD spokesperson said detectives later learned two more victims – bringing the total to nine people who were stabbed – were treated at the scene and released.
A total of two persons of interest, including the one taken to a hospital in critical condition, were detained in connection with the incident.
Monday evening, IMPD announced the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect on preliminary charges including two counts of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery.
(NOTE: 13News has a policy not to name suspects until formal charges are filed by a prosecutor.)
Young said the incident appears to have occurred during a disturbance between two groups of people. He said police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the IMPD Aggravated Assault Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey released the following statement Monday afternoon:
"This morning I woke up to news that was both troubling and disappointing. The sheer number of victims involved in this incident underscores the severity of this violence.
First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The impact of this senseless violence is far-reaching, affecting not only those who were injured but also their loved ones and our entire community.
I want to commend our officers for their quick and professional response. They responded to the scene to treat and assist those who had been injured, working to manage a complex and chaotic situation.
It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that a conflict escalated to this level of violence. There are so many other ways to resolve disputes—walking away, taking a moment to breathe, or leaving the establishment altogether. Instead, our community woke up to find nine people injured because someone chose to resolve their conflict with a weapon rather than words.
While incidents like this are certainly alarming, it does not erase the progress we have made and will continue to make to improve the safety and security of every neighborhood in our city.
IMPD continues to actively investigate this incident. We urge anyone with information to come forward to call the aggravated assault office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.TIPS."
Restaurant closed by fire marshal
In a statement to 13News, the Pike Township Fire Department said the restaurant has been ordered closed due to code violations unrelated to the stabbing:
As a result of the recent incident at Miami’s Garden, our Fire Prevention Division became aware of general Marion County/City of Indianapolis code/permitting issues with the establishment which resulted in the closure order. The establishment will be able to reopen once those code/permitting issues have been addressed with the City of Indianapolis. The closure is not the result of the stabbings that took place at that location.
Specifically, a department spokesperson said, the violations "were for operating without an entertainment permit and for not obtaining a construction permit."