INDIANAPOLIS — An arrest has been made in connection with a mass shooting in Muncie on Sunday.
Muncie Police confirmed on Tuesday that 36-year-old John Vance has been arrested. Vance was formally charged on August 4.
According to police, the suspect has been preliminarily charged with several felonies including aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
The case will be forwarded to the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office for review and consideration of additional charges.
Police chief Nathan Sloan said detectives have been working tirelessly since the mass shooting happened around 1:14 a.m. on Sunday in the area of South Hackley and Willard Street.
PREVIOUS | 1 killed, nearly 20 others injured in Muncie shooting (wrtv.com)
One man was killed and nearly 17 others were injured after gunfire rang out during a party outside a business.
In a Tuesday update, officials said three victims are in stable condition in Indianapolis hospitals, and another four are patients at Ball Memorial Hospital.
“This doesn’t solve the pain, but we hope this can move our community towards some closure,” said Mayor Dan Ridenour.
Mayor Ridenour read the MPD press release at an emotional prayer vigil at Berea Church.
According to a preliminary court document, Bonner and Vance were involved in an altercation leading up to the shooting.
The family of Joseph Bonner, the man who was killed on Sunday, was at the vigil. After the mayor made the announcement the family was visibly emotional.
"If he goes to jail for it now his family lost a member just like our family lost a member. It affects both sides, nobody wants to be in jail for the rest of their lives and nobody wants to die early," said Alicia Edwards who shares a daughter with Bonner.
Edwards was at the party Saturday night, but left before the shooting happened. She says having to tell her daughters what happened was one of the hardest things to do.
"When I told her about her daddy she said that was my favorite person in the world, so even over her momma she was saying that was her favorite person in the world. She’s still not okay today. It’s horrible. This is horrible," said Edwards.
At this time, Vance has not been charged with the death of Bonner. According to the Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman, the investigation into Bonner's death is rapidly evolving.
He is being held in Delaware County Jail on a $105,000 bond.
