4 teens face gun charges in wake of July 5 downtown Indy mass shooting

INDIANAPOLIS - Four teenagers are being criminally charged following a mass shooting that broke out in downtown Indianapolis as Fourth of July celebrations were winding down.




Previous stories detail how seven people were shot and two killed after officers heard gunshots ring out near Washington and Illinois streets shortly before 1:27 a.m. on July 5. Officers were only a block away and ran toward the sound of gunshots. They located six people suffering from injuries. One, 16-year-old Xavion Jackson, was pronounced dead on scene. Another, a 15-year-old, died not long later after being transported to a hospital.




Another juvenile victim later arrived at a nearby hospital bringing the total number of victims to seven. According to police, all the victims were 21 years of age or younger.

On Monday, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office announced that four teenagers have been charged following this mass shooting. The suspects face charges for illegally possessing a firearm. The suspects are 13, 15, 16 and 17 years old.




The 17-year-old, identified as Vincent Lanking Jr., is being charged as an adult. In addition to dangerous possession of a firearm charges, Lanking faces charges of resisting law enforcement and obstruction of justice for fleeing from police.




"A 13-year-old alleged to be walking through the streets of downtown with a gun is ridiculous," said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.




Court documents reveal Lanking was spotted by police officers before the shooting took place. He was allegedly dressed head to toe in black clothing, including a covering over most of his face. Police found his garb suspicious and attempted to speak with Lanking, but he fled from officers.




During the chase, Lanking allegedly pulled out a handgun but threw the firearm aside once ordered at gunpoint. Court records show Lanking has been charged previously for dangerous possession of a firearm.




Lanking was but one of many armed juveniles wandering downtown Indianapolis during a state of alleged "lawlessness" that followed the Fourth of July fireworks celebration.




The mass shooting happened just hours after the Fourth Fest fireworks concluded, an event which drew thousands into the city to celebrate the holiday.




Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey called upon parents and guardians to "step up" in monitoring their children. Indy metro police reportedly made around 20 arrests prior to the mass shooting, with many involving juveniles being found in possession of guns while wandering around downtown.




"Hundreds of unsupervised kids down here," Bailey said. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. We are not your children's keepers. You are! Parents and guardians have got to step up. A kid is dead tonight."




Mears said the prosecutor's office will continue to work with IMPD to discover how these firearms ended up in the hands of children.




On Saturday, Bailey spoke about the "lawlessness" his officers and Indianapolis citizens allegedly saw firsthand in downtown Indy during the Fourth of July. These reports include individuals firing Roman candles at innocent bystanders and the open, public use of narcotics.




The police chief commended his officers for running toward danger and trying their best to wrangle the "lawlessness" and "disrespect" that came from "people of all ages."




 "They are the best of us," Bailey said of IMPD officers, "and I'm proud of their courage and commitment."




Details about the arrests of the 13, 15, and 16 were not provided at this time. The cases against these suspects were filed in juvenile court with details not made available to the public.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/4-teens-charged-in-connection-to-july-5-downtown-indy-mass-shooting/