Indianapolis, IN
Police advise against celebrating Fourth of July by shooting in the air
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey gives briefing following mass shooting
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey addresses the problem of youth with guns downtown following a mass shooting that killed two teens and injured 5 on July 5, 2025.
Two years ago on the Fourth of July, an 11-year-old visiting Indianapolis was struck in the back by a bullet fired into the air. Jataevious Ragsdale – who recovered quickly – was visiting family in Indianapolis for the holiday.
Had he been struck differently by the bullet, Ragsdale may not have had the chance to experience Fourth of July again. Falling bullets have killed other children, like 13-year-old Noah Inman in Hammond in 2017 and 4-year-old Marquel Peters in Atlanta in 2010.
Holidays like Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve often prompt individuals to celebrate by firing their gun in the air, something the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department strongly advises against doing.
“Every bullet that goes up comes down,” Downtown District Commander Shane Foley said. “So if people think that’s not dangerous, they’re wrong.”
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Those who choose to fire their gun into the air can risk causing serious damage, Foley said, and doing so can lead to an arrest and prosecution. Criminal consequences for firing into the air include criminal recklessness, battery, vandalism and even homicide depending on the damage done.
“People think of it as a harmless act, but those bullets coming down may very well hurt somebody, damage property, hurt animals,” he said.
Bullets shot into the air can travel more than a mile before falling. Smaller rounds can fall at roughly 300 feet per second and larger rounds can descend at nearly 500 feet per second. Speeds of 150 to 170 feet per second can break skin, while 200 feet per second can penetrate a human skull. That’s what happened to 4-year-old Marquel, who was sitting next to his mother in an Atlanta church for New Year’s Eve services.
IMPD respects Hoosiers’ Second Amendment rights, Foley said, but says people must handle firearms safely so others don’t get hurt.
While it may be hard to distinguish gunfire from fireworks during the Fourth of July weekend, Foley said, anyone who sees someone firing a gun in the air should immediately call police.
The simple advice he offers to those thinking of shooting their gun in the air on the Fourth of July?
“Don’t do it. It’s illegal.”
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Holiday comes in the wake of last year’s mass shooting
Fourth of July 2026 follows a mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis on July 5, 2025 that happened hours after thousands gathered for a fireworks show. Two teenagers died and five other people were injured in the shooting. Police arrested at least 11 individuals throughout the night for charges ranging from weapons possession, criminal recklessness and battery.
“Reckless or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated” during Indianapolis holiday festivities, Deputy Chief Matthew Thomas said.
Foley said there will be a “very strong public safety presence downtown” over the weekend. Officers will patrol on foot, bikes and undercover, using safety cameras and drones to monitor what’s happening in the city.
“We will not allow the actions of a few individuals to negatively impact the experience of thousands of families,” Thomas said.
Mia Thurow is the breaking news and criminal justice reporting intern for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at mthurow@gannett.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — An investigation is underway after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in downtown Indianapolis Saturday morning.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, at around 3:15 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of East Maryland and South Pennsylvania Streets after hearing a loud crash in the area.
When officers arrived on scene, they were flagged down by several people stating a pedestrian had been struck. Officers located an adult female who had been on a scooter in the crosswalk of the intersection.
She was transported to an area hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries, IMPD said.
Investigators said the striking motorist did not stay on scene.
Police are encouraging those with information on the crash to contact Detective Adam Jones at (317) 327-3475 or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department detectives on Friday afternoon asked for help in locating 14-year-old Kathya Rodriguez, last seen on Monday afternoon.
On Friday night, an Indiana Silver Alert was issued for the girl.
Described as 4 feet, 9 inches, and 99 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, Kathya was last seen on Monday in the area of 2100 Waterford Place. That’s at The Meridian apartments off Westlane Road/West 71st Street on the city’s northwest side.
She was last seen about 12:45 p.m. Monday. She was wearing a gray hoodie with white writing, blue jeans, and sandals with socks.
In a statement Friday, IMPD said early in the investigation, detectives had no information indicating she was in danger, but as the investigation continued, detectives found details that led them to believe Kathya might be at risk.
Detectives believe she may be with Victor Martinez, 15. IMPD described him as 5 feet, 5 inches, and 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Monday near 7200 Knobwood Drive. That’s also at The Meridian apartments.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts was asked to call 911, contact the IMPD missing persons unit at 317-327-6160, or call Crimestoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
This story was updated from its initial post after IMPD corrected the last name of Kathya.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indianapolis City-County Council President plans to propose a data center moratorium on Monday.
President Maggie Lewis, a Democrat, said she plans to introduce an amendment to proposed data center zoning regulations during the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee meeting on July 13, enacting a moratorium.
“This pause will provide the City-County Council, the administration, industry experts, and community stakeholders the opportunity to fully evaluate the long-term impacts of these developments, including infrastructure demands, utility capacity, environmental considerations, economic outcomes, and neighborhood quality of life,” Lewis said in a statement. “This is not about slowing progress. It is about exercising responsible leadership and ensuring that decisions of this magnitude are made through a thoughtful, transparent, and data-driven process.”
Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) President John Dillon dismissed the idea of a moratorium when the MDC advanced the data center zoning ordinance, even in the face of dozens of protesters.
The zoning regulations, if approved, would set minimum standards for data center developments in Indianapolis. Critics have said the regulations, as written, are too broad and will only streamline development.
Groups like Citizens Action Coalition have called for a moratorium to allow time to draft more robust restrictions. Lewis echoed similar motivations when announcing her intent to propose the pause on developments.
“Our responsibility is to make informed decisions that serve the best interests of Indianapolis residents,” Lewis said. “Given the significant questions that remain, a deliberate review is both prudent and necessary before moving forward.”
The City-County Council unanimously approved a special resolution on May 4, requesting the MDC temporarily stop approving new data centers. But the resolution isn’t enforceable. Councilman Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican, previously told News 8 the vote was more symbolic to him rather than a real measure to slow development.
A public hearing on the data center zoning regulations is planned at 5:30pm on Monday, July 13, inside the City-County Building at 200 E Washington St in Indianapolis.
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