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Prosecutor does not believe shooting of Greenwood 13-year-old was accidental

Greenwood Police responded to a house on Crescent Drive around 1:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 to a call of an attempted suicide.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Johnson County prosecutor is still deciding what charges a 13-year-old boy will face for allegedly shooting another 13-year-old boy inside a Greenwood home last weekend.  

Greenwood Police responded to a house on Crescent Drive around 1:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 to a call of an attempted suicide. The police knock on the door woke up the parents. They all discovered a 13-year-old boy shot inside the house.

Investigators believe six juveniles were at the house playing with a gun when one 13-year-old allegedly pointed the gun at another 13-year-old and shot him.

"We don't believe that the shooting is accidental, but it is still under investigation,” said Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner.

The prosecutor was asked if he believed that one boy intentionally shot another boy. Hamner took several seconds to consider his answer before replying.

"Until the initial hearing is held, I can't talk about what our belief is with regard to what we would charge,” said Hamner.

The initial hearing in juvenile court is scheduled for Nov. 26.

Credit: WTHR/Marina Silva
Greenwood police are investigating after a teenager was injured in a shooting Nov. 10, 2024, at a home in the 1100 block of Crescent Drive.

Investigators believe the rest of the group took off after the shooting. Police say the shooter called 911 20 minutes later reporting an attempted suicide. The victim was taken to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis in critical condition. Police have not said if he survived.

"It's just one of those situations that when the warnings continually come out from law enforcement to make sure the firearms are away from the kids, this is the worst case scenario that they're talking about, and it's a tragedy for the family,” said Hamner.

Most, if not all, of the juveniles involved in the shooting attend Greenwood Middle School. Classes began at the school Monday on a two-hour delay to allow preparation for support services to students and staff.

"It's not just the families,” said Hamner. “Of course, they suffer the most. But everybody who knew these kids, they're suffering too, and the tragedy compounds itself."

The suspected shooter is held at the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center while the prosecutor decides what charges are appropriate and if the 13-year-old should be charged as an adult. Hamner said he does not expect to file criminal charges against any of the other juveniles who were at the shooting.

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