A late-night fight at a southside Indianapolis bar over a customer allegedly trying to dump powder into other people’s drinks spiraled into a parking-lot shooting and carjacking Wednesday, leaving one man shot in the left leg, police said. Video and witness statements reviewed by investigators suggest the confrontation moved in a matter of moments from an argument inside Barringer’s Tavern to violence outside. Detectives say the suspect took off in the victim’s dark-blue Genesis, which officers later recovered before launching a wider search.
According to FOX59, the 911 call came from Barringer’s parking lot. Surveillance footage that investigators reviewed allegedly shows the suspect kicking a man, grabbing a handgun and firing, then heading east in a Genesis G70. Officers later found the car in a nearby alley, with a loaded magazine in the glove compartment and the license plate removed. The victim survived and was treated for the gunshot wound to his left leg.
Police say the man they were looking for turned up hours later on the opposite side of town. Early Thursday, officers went to an extended-stay hotel in the Castleton area after a report of a man who could not get out of an Uber. SWAT served a warrant on a hotel room, where officers detained the suspect. He told investigators there had been a struggle over a gun but claimed he did not know any shots were fired, according to FOX59. Detectives say surveillance footage and evidence from the scene tied him to the Genesis and the parking-lot shooting.
Legal status
Online court records show the man taken into custody was booked on several charges, including theft while using a firearm (a level 5 felony), auto theft (a level 6 felony), battery with a deadly weapon (a level 5 felony), unlawful handgun possession (a level 5 felony) and criminal mischief (a class B misdemeanor). According to Indiana Courts' MyCase and local booking logs, prosecutors have asked for a higher-than-standard bond, citing prior convictions that prevent the defendant from legally possessing a handgun. Authorities say the case is still active and that additional charges or other court actions could follow as prosecutors go through the evidence.
What police say and next steps
Investigators say the whole mess started inside Barringer’s Tavern after the victim reported that the suspect, who he believed was on cocaine, tried to put powder into other patrons’ drinks. Detectives are now combing through bar surveillance video, interviewing witnesses and processing physical evidence as they build the case. They have also asked anyone with cellphone footage or other information from that night to reach out.
Tipsters can contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department or Crime Stoppers, with phone numbers and online options listed on the department’s website. Local officials say they plan to release more information as it becomes available and as charging decisions are finalized.
