INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is investigating after a teenager was killed in a shooting on school grounds Friday afternoon on the city's near northeast side.
Police responded to a report of a person shot in the 2200 block of Ralston Avenue, near Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue and 22nd Street, shortly before 1 p.m. Nov. 3. Police used crime tape to mark off an area of a parking lot on the campus grounds of KIPP Indy Legacy High School.
Officers arrived and found a high school student who had been shot, according to police.
IMPD said a student was walking with their mother when they were shot. The teenager was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.
On Nov. 6, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified the teen as 15-year-old Devin Gilbert III.
Gilbert's mom told 13News that, “Devin was a sweet loving child that was my sunshine, my heart. He was an awesome big brother to his five younger siblings ... I’m not saying he’s perfect, but he was human.”
She said her son was shot right in front of her at the school and that she still doesn’t know exactly why he was targeted.
"I'm sad, I'm anxious. Still feel chills talking about it. I can't imagine a kid leaving school with his mom and something like that happens," said Kareem Hines, founder of the New B.O.Y. mentorship program. "It’s disheartening because our kids are not scared to die. I’ll tell you what, they’re scared to live. It’s become so normal to them.”
Police said a "person has been detained." Police later said, "to clarify the person detained is not a student, despite previous statements."
Late Friday, IMPD announced a 15-year-old boy had been arrested for murder for his alleged role in the shooting.
The KIPP Indy Legacy High School issued the following statement:
Early this afternoon, an incident involving gun violence occurred at 23rd and Ralston Avenue at the north end of the Leadership and Legacy Campus parking lot that involved one of our Legacy High students who was walking home. After being rushed to the hospital to receive medical care, our student sadly passed away. We are in ongoing communication with the student’s family, and will continue to offer support during this extremely difficult time. On Monday, we will have on-site supports available for students and staff as our school community processes this tragedy.
The suspect is not a KIPP Indy student and is currently in custody. IMPD responded immediately and will continue to complete their investigation. There is no ongoing threat to those nearby or to anyone living in the surrounding area. Our KIPP Indy campuses executed our secure campus protocol with excellence and ensured the security of our school buildings and community. The safety of our entire school community will always be our top priority. For any questions about the ongoing investigation, contact IMPD.
Families of students at the Edna Martin Christian Center have also been notified, and all after-school activities are canceled.
“We have to (do) better. We owe it to our youth to lead the way in doing that. We have to come together as a community to develop solutions to take guns out of the hands of youth and prevent acts like this,” IMPD North District Commander Matt Thomas said.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.