ANDERSON, Ind. — Several young adults were injured in a shooting in Anderson early Sunday.
Just after midnight July 21, police responded to a report of large gathering of people that was blocking a roadway and had recently began fighting in the 2200 block of Arrow Avenue, near Tracy Park. Moments later, multiple gunshots rang out through the crowd.
As officers made their way to the gunfire through the big crowd, Anderson police said they found several people who had been shot, with two in serious condition.
All of the victims were taken to local hospitals, but the two who were seriously injured were later transferred to an Indianapolis hospital.
In an update Monday, the Anderson Police Department identified seven of the victims, who were all described as "stable," as:
- One 18-year-old
- One 19-year-old
- One 21-year-old
- Two 22-year-olds
- One 23-year-old
- One 25-year-old
A department spokesperson said no arrests have been made in the case.
"An anti-violence block party where they was promoting no violence in these type of settings. They was trying to prove that they could come together as a community and have a party without any kind of violence. And unfortunately, that didn't happen," said resident Paris Powell Redfield.
Redfield has been in this community for most of his life.
"A block party went astray and some kids got hurt," he said. "It's very disheartening."
He said it was mainly younger people out at the party. He went to the scene the following morning just watching and taking it all in, even talking to people who came to find lost belongings.
"I asked a lot — I was like, 'What's the allure of hanging on these streets?' I mean, you know, to these kids, I'm like, 'What is the allure? What is the fascination of hanging on the streets?' And to an end, all of them to say, 'We just want to have a good time,'" Redfield said.
Dior Sims was back on Arrow Avenue Sunday morning with her friends. They had all been at the block party overnight.
"I had blood all over my hands," Sims said. "It really kind of traumatized me."
This incident is under an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Det. Cora Garcia at 765-648-6729. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.