Indianapolis, IN
Indy’s newest skate park honors local skater killed by stray bullet
It has been two years since 20-year-old IU pupil Ethan Williams was struck and killed by a stray bullet in Brooklyn, New York.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday was a bittersweet day for Ethan Williams’ household. It has been two years for the reason that 20-year-old former Indiana College pupil from Indianapolis was struck and killed by a stray bullet in Brooklyn, New York.
His father Jason mentioned there’s not a day they do not miss him.
“We miss him each minute of each day. My spouse nonetheless cries day by day. His siblings miss him. It is a tragedy,” mentioned Jason Williams.
Ethan’s household says he was a loving, sensible beneficiant particular person with a ardour for studying and skateboarding. Shortly after he handed, his pals discovered the right method to honor him by proposing a memorial for him at a skate park they had been engaged on.
“It is fairly outstanding to me, my son led that type of life that drew folks to him as a result of he cared about different folks,” mentioned Jason.
The undertaking was within the works earlier than Ethan handed however had been stalled for years. When Ethan was in highschool, he was a part of the Indianapolis mayor’s youth council. That connection and his household’s dedication to creating it occur had been the driving forces to finishing the park.
“I do not suppose there’s a greater method to honor somebody with Ethan’s power than to have a skatable characteristic that represents every little thing he was obsessed with,” mentioned Tim Devlin with Indianapolis Skate Park Advocates.
Organizers mentioned it has been greater than 20 years since Indy opened a skate park.
IU pupil killed by stray bullet in Brooklyn
They selected to construct it at Willard Park due to Ethan’s ardour for City Parks for teenagers.
His pals name it “Ebobs Park” in his honor.
“We grew up within the suburbs and quite a lot of the youngsters he met did not have little league baseball and all these issues and he thought it was a reasonably cool factor they may have a spot to assemble,” mentioned Jason Williams.
On the coronary heart of this skate park will all the time be Ethan. Incased within the concrete are his skate software and the childhood ebook that sparked his love for studying.
“We wished to memorialize his love for folks, books, group skating, and information,” mentioned Jason Williams.
Skater Nick Holub mentioned he is blown away by the park.
“It shook everyone when this occurred. Everyone seems to be right here to honor him. The truth that one thing good can come from one thing unhealthy is simply unimaginable” mentioned Holub.
Jason Williams mentioned the park is proof that Ethan’s gentle nonetheless shines vibrant.
They plan to have a ribbon reducing round June 25 with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Household gathers for memorial to recollect 16-year-old killed by stray bullet