INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis police are investigating several shootings that left three people dead and two injured over a span of about three hours Friday night into Saturday.
Violence in Indianapolis is something Pastor Charles Harrison knows all too well. For the past 23 years, he and his group, the Ten Point Coalition, have been taking a direct approach to protecting Hoosier lives.
Looking back on his more than two decades addressing violent crime, Harrison said the last eight years have been the toughest.
"We are so passionate about this work because we know what it's like to get that phone call that one of your loved ones has been killed. We know what that feels like and that's why we are so determined to make a difference and end this madness," said Harrison.
Friday, Sept. 2 on southeast side
The most recent incident happened just before midnight on Friday in the 8400 block of Southeastern Avenue, near Franklin Road. Officers who were called about a shooting found a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. Police didn't provide a condition for the person, but said he was taken to a local hospital and IMPD aggravated assault detectives were called to investigate.
Saturday, Sept. 3 on southeast side
At about the same time — just after midnight — police found a man down in the area of Southeastern Avenue and Hunter Road, just west of Interstate 465, lying next to a vehicle. He had apparently been shot. Medics responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as 33-year-old DeAngelo Watkins.
Police haven't indicated whether the two incidents might be related, but said there is no threat to the public.
Anyone with information about the shooting on Hunter Road should contact Detective Matthew Melkey at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at Matthew.Melkey@indy.gov.
Saturday, Sept. 3 on near northwest side
Within minutes of the incidents on Southeastern Avenue, at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, police received a report of a person shot around 26th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound was found and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as 26-year-old Harvey L. Lewis.
IMPD said no arrest has been made, but there is no known threat to the public at this time.
Anyone with information about the shooting near 26th Street should contact Detective Larry Craciunoiu at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at Larry.Craciunoiu@indy.gov.
Friday, Sept. 2 on west side
Around 10 p.m. Friday, police were called to the 5900 block of Fieldcrest Lane to investigate a report of a shooting. Officers discovered a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital and was reported to be in critical condition.
In an update Saturday, IMPD said the man had died. Homicide detectives are now investigating.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as 24-year-old Stacey O. Branch, Jr.
Anyone with information about the shooting on Fieldcrest Lane is being asked to contact Det. Christopher Winter at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email Cristopher.Winter@indy.gov.
Friday, Sept. 2 on near southwest side
A few minutes earlier, at 9:10 p.m., dispatchers got a call of a person shot in the 1800 block of Howard Street. Police found a male victim inside the residence who had apparently been shot.
A police department spokesperson said that he was in "stable" condition and an Aggravated Assault investigation is underway.
No suspect information has been shared in any of the shootings Friday night or early Saturday.
Harrison said the overnight violence is proof there's still work to do.
"That is the tragedy of what we are facing in this city. All these lives were taken by gun violence," said Harrison.
Volunteers drive the Ten Point Coalition and although the volunteers provide an overwhelming amount of help, the group still faces challenges, particularly during the overnight hours.
"They normally only work to about 6 p.m., at the latest 10 p.m. Most of them don't work that late, particularly during the weekdays because they're volunteers" said Harrison.
Harrison said it's that time after 10 p.m. that seems to be the most crucial.
"Most of the violent crime happens around 10 p.m., to the early morning hours, to about three in the morning," said Harrison.
Now, Ten Point is hoping it will get a grant from the Central Indiana Community Foundation to help with adding six full-time workers.
Harrison said creating those positions will help them save lives.
"That's the goal. How do we save lives and put people on the pathway to success, so they're not the victim of a homicide or the next person arrested?" Harrison said.
The group is hoping to hear something within the next few weeks about the grant. In the meantime, the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition is always in need of more volunteers. People interested in volunteering can learn more online.
Anonymous tips on any of the overnight shootings can be left with Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.
What other people are reading: