INDIANAPOLIS — An 18-year-old man was arrested Friday night following a shooting that stopped a high school football game at Ben Davis High School.
The football game between Ben Davis High School and Carmel High School came to a halt after multiple gunshots were heard outside of the Ben Davis Stadium.
WRTV's Eldon Wheeler was at the football game in Wayne Township when it happened. He described that upon hearing the shots, players began scattering off the field.
Officers with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to the high school, at1200 North Girl School Road to assist MSD of Wayne Township officers on a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they located a victim with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. The victim is stable.
Early Saturday morning, MSD of Wayne Township Superintendent Dr. Jeff Butts said a person was shot during an altercation.
"Our increased safety and security efforts at the Ben Davis Football Stadium gates continue to improve the safety of all who enter the stadium to cheer on the Giants and enjoy a great night of Ben Davis Football," Butts said. "Unfortunately, during the fourth quarter of the Homecoming football game against Carmel last evening, several teenagers engaged in an altercation outside of the football stadium."
In a press release Saturday morning, IMPD announced aggravated assault detectives arrested an 18-year-old man and preliminarily charged him with aggravated battery. Formal charges haven't been filed, according to online court records.
Only one of the people involved in the incident has been identified as a former Wayne Township student, Butts said. None of the people involved are current students.
All other official school-sponsored Ben Davis homecoming activities scheduled this weekend will continue as planned with additional safety measures in place, Butts said.
City-County Councilor Jared Evans, D-District 22, is a former Ben Davis student and football player.
"As a former Ben Davis Giant, I've played many games on the Ben Davis football field and witnessed first-hand the camaraderie and community spirit of those in the stands," he said in a statement. "I was sickened to see that spirit turn to panic tonight when shots were fired outside Giants Stadium. I'm very grateful that the shooter was apprehended and that the victim will survive, but I am angry and frustrated that so many young people seem to believe deadly weapons are the best way to resolve disputes. I commend the MSD Wayne Township Schools officials and school police who noticed this conflict brewing and were escorting those involved out of the stadium when the shooting occurred. They prevented what could have been a far more dangerous situation, and all of us in the Ben Davis community are thankful to them tonight."
Wayne Township units responded to multiple people shot on the westside this evening. Three juveniles were injured, two were transported to area hospitals, and one treated and released on the scene. None of the injuries were reported to be life threatening. pic.twitter.com/mjTQnss8tX
— Wayne Township Fire Department (@Waynetwpfire) October 2, 2021
The game is currently suspended at Ben Davis due to several gunshots outside of the stadium. All individuals inside the stadium are safe. Teams in the locker rooms. Updates will be provided.
— Jim Inskeep (@carmelathletics) October 2, 2021
The game has been called. Everyone is safe inside the stadium and there is no immediate threat. Ben Davis HS does require metal detector checks when entering the facility.
— Jim Inskeep (@carmelathletics) October 2, 2021
Thank you to the first responders on site for the immediate response and safety of all inside the venue. The game will not be resumed. Hounds are headed back to Carmel.
— Jim Inskeep (@carmelathletics) October 2, 2021
WRTV Senior Digital Content Producer Andrew Smith contributed to this report.
