INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is investigating after one person was killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at a party on Indianapolis' northeast side early Sunday.
The shooting happened shortly after midnight Oct. 29 in the 5100 block of 65th Street, near Binford Boulevard.
A 16-year-old girl who was shot was pronounced dead at the scene. On Oct. 31, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified her as Kalin Washington. She was a junior at Warren Central High School, according to her mother.
The nine others shot — identified by police as three 16-year-old males, two 17-year-old males, two 18-year-old females, a 21-year-old male and a 21-year-old female — were all described as "stable" by IMPD.
Officers were originally called on a report of a large party with more than 100 people at the event, according to IMPD.
During an update Monday afternoon, IMPD Commander Matt Thomas said police were notified through a tip of an underage party with drug use at that location.
Police said an IMPD sergeant arrived to the scene and called for more officers to respond. As officers were staged across the street, police said they heard gunshots and saw people running from the area.
Officers detained "numerous" people at the scene, but said in an update that all of those people had been released, pending further investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said officers recovered six guns at the scene, along with numerous shell casings, during a news conference Monday. Police are now working to determine who purchased the guns.
According to Adams, the party was promoted through Snapchat and the organizer accepted admission fees through Cash App.
"We need parents to step up to the plate — grandparents, other who influence children's lives. A 16-year-old is dead because people were promoting on social media. They show up, and then, unnecessary violence," Adams said.
Monday morning, 13News spoke with the business owner of Beauty Club LLC, who did not want to be identified. She said she rented the space to a 19-year-old woman Saturday night for a dance competition, which would include a Halloween costume competition as well.
According to the business owner, nobody under 18 was supposed to be admitted to the event, and there was supposed to be a maximum capacity of 75 people.
The business owner told 13News that police shut down another party going on somewhere in Indianapolis that night with approximately 1,800 people. When that party got shut down, the business owner said people got the address for the event at Beauty Club LLC, and people started showing up.
According to the business owner, when a male was denied entry to the event, he started shooting.
That owner later posted on social media that the landlord is now kicking her out of the building immediately.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released a statement on the incident:
"I am frustrated and angry at the news of young people shot at a Halloween party last night. There are far too many guns in the hands of those who have no business having them, and shocking violence is too often the result. IMPD is investigating and will hold fully accountable those who have chosen to settle disagreements with firearms."]
IMPD confirmed they are still trying to determine who is responsible for the shooting and what led up to it.
"Somebody saw something. Somebody recorded something on their cellphone," Adams said. "I'm begging you to come forward with information. No one deserves to die at 16 years old because they go to a party."
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Gregory Taylor at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email Gregory.Taylor2@indy.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
IMPD highlights role of Snapchat, Cash App in weekend shooting
In its press conference, IMPD repeatedly pointed out that the party was spread on Snapchat and Cash App, and police urged parents to track their teens' activities on those apps.
In September, Snapchat revealed new safety features for the app. This includes warning teens if they are "friending" a possible stranger, and blocking younger teens from finding people they don't have multiple friends in common with.
Snapchat is also announcing a "strike" system for public content that isn't age appropriate.
If you and your teen sign up for the Snapchat family center, you can see who your teen is communicating with — but the content of their messages will still be private.
Snapchat does have a process for law enforcement to get ahold of messages during investigations.
Common Sense Media has a guide for parents when it comes to Snapchat safety.
Just over two years ago, Cash App opened up for teens as young as 13. Users under 18 are blocked from many features, but they can still exchange money. Web security company McAfee has 10 safety tips for teens using the app.