MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie police have made an arrest in a weekend shooting that killed one man and injured at least 18 others at a block party.
Police arrested 36-year-old John L. Vance in connection with the shooting, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour announced at a vigil for the victims Tuesday.
A spokesperson said Vance was preliminarily charged with several felonies and that the arrest is being forwarded to the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office. Vance is facing two counts of aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and criminal recklessness. He has not been charged with murder of Joseph Bonner, who was killed in the shooting.
Vance was booked Tuesday evening and is being held on a $105,000 bond.
“This doesn’t solve the pain, but we hope this can move our community toward some closure,” Ridenour said Tuesday.
Vance's previous criminal history includes convictions for domestic battery, dealing in cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and battery resulting in bodily injury.
"It will take time to complete. We don't want to cut any corners on this," said Deputy Chief Melissa Criswell on Wednesday. "One arrest has been made, but we still have a lot of work on this case."
Criswell said there was an altercation that Vance was involved in prior to the shooting. Court documents indicate that altercation was with Bonner.
Seven people are still in the hospital from Sunday's shooting. Three of those are in stable condition in Indianapolis and three are in stable condition in Muncie.
Police officers, firefighters and medics responded to multiple reports of people shot in the area of South Hackley and East Willard streets early in the morning of Sunday, July 30. Police said there was a large party in the area that continued into the early morning hours.
When officers arrived on the scene, they located a 30-year-old man, who was confirmed dead. The Delaware County Coroner's Office identified the man as Joseph Bonner, of Muncie.
Seventeen people were wounded and another person was injured after being hit by a fleeing car.
During a news conference Monday morning, Ridenour said the city is working to provide resources and relief for the families of the victims.
"We do not believe this was an act of a single gunman in an attempt to target specific people," Ridenour said Monday. "We do not know what led to the decision of this violence, but we know that these terrible tragedies are more likely to happen late at night when judgment is impaired."
Ridenour said they need to take action as a city to prevent uncoordinated mass gatherings.
Police said a total of 18 people were wounded and one person, 26-year-old Shealyn Orr, was run over by a car. Police asked for any witnesses or people with photos or video to contact the Muncie Police Department.
"On Saturday night, moving into Sunday morning, there were hundreds and hundreds of people gathering. We tried to contact the property owner to get the party shut down," Police Chief Nathan Sloan said.
Detectives are doing interviews with victims to try and gather more information on the shooting. Sloan said it is possible more than one shooter was involved.
"It's just really sad. We are such a small community where everybody knows everyone. Just anybody that's hurt or didn't make it we pretty much all know. I just hate that it seems like when we come together, this stuff seems to happen," said one woman who did not wish to be identified.
The city said the party did receive a noise ordinance exemption for an event up to 75 people. Estimates place between 500 and 1,000 people actually in attendance at the event, according to city officials. Police said they were working to contact the owner to shut the event down, but did not have officers present at the time of the shooting. Police said officers were able to move in as people dispersed.
Police also said there were some arguments at the hospital that police needed to separate those involved.
The only other information on the injured victims given was that one was 15 or 16 years old and another 17 years old, and one person is in the hospital is in critical condition.
The Muncie Homecoming Festival Committee, who was hosting events the night before the shooting, said the local block party was not part of their weekend celebrations, but that doesn't make them mourn any less.
"We are praying for the families of the young man who passed away, as well as the families who have relatives who were injured and remain hospitalized," the statement reads. "This tragedy will not stop the hard work and dedication of those who endeavor to make Muncie a peaceful and loving community. Acts of violence will not be tolerated here and we are united and moving forward in a positive manner even in grief.”
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman released the following comment to 13News:
“It is too early in the investigation for me to say much. I can say that I have been in contact with the Muncie Chief of Police, and I continue to get updates on the investigation. There are far too many guns on the street, and I certainly question the wisdom of someone having a huge outdoor party with several hundred people, including juveniles, carrying on into the early morning hours. Let’s take a dose of reality. This is not the Vegas strip or Times Square. This is a residential neighborhood.”
The community held a prayer vigil Tuesday at Berea Church, 1201 Wheeling Ave.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Muncie Police Department Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or Muncie Police Dispatch at 765-747-4838.
NOTE: The spelling of the name of the person killed has been updated to Bonner.