INDIANAPOLIS — A 37-year-old man was arrested by IMPD for allegedly involving children in firing a gun at an apartment complex on Indianapolis’ near northeast side on Saturday.
On July 27, 2024, just after 7 a.m., IMPD officers responded to the 2300 block of Hillside Avenue following multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired into an apartment complex in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood.
Upon arrival, authorities interviewed several witnesses who reported seeing a man and three children shooting a gun multiple times in the parking lot before retreating into an apartment.
IMPD received video footage of the incident showing a man firing a gun into the air and then handing it to three children, who also discharged the weapon into the air before running into a nearby apartment.
Police quickly surrounded the apartment and announced for everyone inside to come out.
Two adults and four children exited the apartment and were taken into custody.
One man, later identified as Jeffery Ware, 37, of Indianapolis, remained inside and refused to leave.
A search warrant for the apartment was granted, and Ware was eventually apprehended.
IMPD confirmed that Ware was the man seen in the video firing the gun into the air. Three of the detained children matched the descriptions and clothing of those seen in the video shooting the gun. The children, aged between 10 and 14, told officers they were “encouraged” by Ware to shoot the gun.
One child reported to police that Ware appeared to be “high or something” and woke them and the other children, urging them to “come get the gun, come shoot the gun,” according to court documents.
Ware was charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, three counts of dangerous control of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
He was taken to the Indianapolis-Marion County Community Justice Campus.
“The alleged behavior is very disturbing and disappointing,” said IMPD Commander Matthew Thomas. “It is completely unacceptable for any adult to not only recklessly shoot a gun in a busy apartment complex but also encourage children to do the same. We, as a department, are outraged by this, and the community should be too. We must do better. Our children deserve better.”
