Two men shot in separate incidents in Indianapolis; police investigating
Indianapolis, Indiana – Sunday night proved to be distressingly active for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) as they responded to two separate shooting incidents within a short span of time, resulting in critical injuries and a fatality.
Fatal Shooting on Butler Terrace
The first incident unfolded just after 6:30 p.m. on December 17th, when police were called to the 5300 block of Butler Terrace, near East 34th Street and Emerson Avenue, located on the city’s east side. Upon arrival, officers heard a cry for help coming from inside an apartment and were forced to breach the door to gain entry. Inside, they discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds.
IMPD Captain Don Weilhammer said that the victim was rushed to the hospital in a critical state and unfortunately later succumbed to his injuries. The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as 23-year-old Leonard Eugene Germany III. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were shrouded in mystery, as police faced difficulties in finding witnesses or individuals willing to disclose what transpired. Captain Weilhammer expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation, emphasizing the challenge in solving the crime without crucial eyewitness accounts.
Second Shooting Near Warren Avenue
Less than an hour later, a second shooting was reported in the 900 block of Warren Avenue, near South Harding and West Morris streets on the city’s near west side. Responding officers found another man who had been shot and was in very critical condition, as stated by Weilhammer. The victim was taken to Eskenazi Hospital for emergency treatment.
In a swift response, police detained the suspect believed to be responsible for this second shooting. By Monday morning, authorities had arrested a 22-year-old man on preliminary charges that included aggravated battery, battery with a deadly weapon, and burglary. Weilhammer reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat to the neighborhood and that this incident appeared to be a targeted attack.
With these violent events marking yet another turbulent night in Indianapolis, law enforcement officials are urging the community to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts. “Violence is not the answer. If you’re having problems, try and talk it out. If you can’t talk it out, turn and walk away,” advised Weilhammer.
Anyone with information related to either shooting is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477, as community cooperation remains essential in addressing and preventing such tragic incidents.
