INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Prosecutor has recused himself from the case involving the deadly shooting of a teenager outside Castleton Square Mall.
That means a special prosecutor will now determine whether charges will be filed against the person accused of shooting the teen and an adult in the parking lot of the mall on January 3.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears filed the paperwork with the Marion Supreme Court on Thursday requesting the appointment.
"The investigation and the charging decision of the individual under investigation creates a conflict of interest," the documents filed by Mears state. "In order to avoid an appearance of impropriety, it is thus necessary to appoint a Special Prosecutor to assist in the investigation, to make a charging decision and to prosecute such charges if filed, as contemplated by the special prosecutor statute."
The motion did not specify the nature of the 'conflict of interest' but did request that a special prosecutor be appointed from outside of Marion County.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the mall parking lot just before 8 p.m. where they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Michael Mason Jr., 16, and the other victim were both taken to the hospital. Mason later died from his injuries.
The father of the other man injured in the shooting tells WRTV that his son was shot four times in the leg. He claims his son and two other people were leaving the mall when they walked up to a car that looked like their own. When they began pulling on the door, he alleges shots were fired from inside the car.
"When the young man started to pull at the back door, my son said he noticed that that wasn't his car," Eddie Smith Sr. said. "So he said, 'Hey, this, that's not my car.'.. Immediately somebody started shooting at them from inside of the car."
Police say a third person - who they initially called a person of interest - is cooperating with their investigation. That person was taken in for questioning and later released. No charges have been filed at this time.
-
City looks to outside help to help improve condition of parks
For the first time, Indy Parks is partnering with AmeriCorps on park beautification projects. It’s one of the many ways Indy Parks are looking for outside help in improving our park system.
McConnell says filibuster will stay as Republicans reclaim Senate
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans plan to keep the filibuster when it takes the majority in 2025.
What will happen to JD Vance's US Senate seat in January?
As JD Vance is poised to become the next vice president, his departure from the Senate leaves an opening in Ohio. Here is how the seat will be filled.
Delphi Murders Trial: Day 17 | Defense rests; Psychiatrist says Allen confessed
On day 17 of the Delphi Murders Trial, the defense rested its case for Richard Allen, who faces murder charges for the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German in Delphi in February 2017.
