Police investigate six shot, one dead on west side - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indianapolis Metro Police are investigating a shooting incident near Ben Davis Park overnight that left one person dead and several injured.

Officers say several young women gathered in the park late Monday night to settle a dispute. Just before 12:30 am, a 21-year-old woman called 911 from the 7400 block of West 21st Street. Officers arrived and found her with gunshot wounds to her leg and hip, sitting in a car in the Liberty Oaks housing complex. She was taken by ambulance in critical condition to IU Health Methodist Hospital.

During their investigation they found a young woman, Larretha Draughon, shot to death and two others wounded by gunfire. Two men, 21 and 25 years old, also suffered gunshot wounds. Police determined that multiple shots were fired during the incident and several parties fled the scene afterwards.

Paramedics and officers saw a black male running eastbound on 21st as they responded to the scene, and officers from Speedway Police Department detained him along with some others who were northbound on Girl's School Road. A vehicle leaving the scene was stopped and the occupants were detained on W. 10th Street.

A concerned mother who lives nearby was too scared to go on camera, but she told us although fireworks are banned she thought she heard some firecrackers - until police started showing up.

"It was that initial pop, pop, pop, bang, bang and then it stopped. It makes me very nervous to think that there is that kind of activity going on. It's very unusual. This is not an area normally where that happens. We don't have crime like that in this area. Its been very safe. So, It does make me nervous," she said.

Cathy Harris lives next to the park where the shooting occurred. She says this type of violence is out of the ordinary.

"It's a pretty close community here, so I think everyone kind of keeps their eyes out and watch out for the neighbors," she said.

While police continue to investigate the shooting, neighbors are looking for ways to make the park as safe as possible.

"It needs to be gated, so that people can't go in and out," the mother said.

Police are questioning witnesses and the other victims Tuesday.

If you have any information about the park shooting call crime stoppers at 262-TIPS.