INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is currently investigating after three men were shot on the near west side of Indianapolis Monday afternoon.
Police responded to three shooting scenes around 2 p.m. Aug. 19:
- 3600 block of West Michigan Street, near North Tibbs Avenue: man pronounced dead at the scene
- 4100 West Vermont Street, near Holt Road: man pronounced dead at the scene
- Allison Way in Speedway: man taken in critical condition to a hospital
Detectives located a gun at both the West Vermont and West Michigan street scenes.
"The investigation is ongoing and detectives believe that the three incidents were connected," an IMPD spokesperson said in a statement. "However, this has not been confirmed."
The spokesperson said police believe the shooting happened at the West Vermont Street location.
No arrests have been made in the case.
On Tuesday morning, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified two of the people who died as 21-year-old Nathaniel Lee Thomas and 40-year-old Brandon Lerez Groves.
"I just want to hug him and erase that from his mind because I don't know what he's thinking now or how he feels because he's never seen that before," said Kelly Tafolla, whose 10-year-old son saw the man lying dead in the street.
Detectives believe this is an isolated incident. Police have not shared information at this time about a possible suspect or motive.
"It's broad daylight. Like, nobody got anything better to do than going around shooting people," said Tammy Ray, who lives nearby. "I'm sorry for the family who lost a loved one. My prayers go out to you, and I hope you get through it. It's hard, but you'll get through it. You'll get through it."
West Michigan Street was closed between North Tibbs Avenue and North Holt Road during the investigation.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Dustin Keedy at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email Dustin.Keedy@indy.gov.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-327-3475.