An 18-year-old man was found shot to death early Monday in a hotel parking lot along Indianapolis’ downtown canal, and homicide detectives are looking for anyone who might know what happened. The killing has left the victim’s family and downtown visitors shaken as police sift through security footage and witness statements, searching for answers.
The victim was identified by relatives as 18-year-old Juan Carlos Castillo Bujanda, according to FOX59. Family members told the station they have not been briefed by IMPD homicide detectives about a possible motive. The hotel where Bujanda was found is cooperating with investigators and told FOX59 he was neither a guest nor an employee.
Where It Happened
Officers were called just before 5 a.m. to the 300 block of North Senate Avenue near the canal, where they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds who was later pronounced dead at the scene, WIBC reported. Police at the scene told WIBC they believe the suspect and the victim knew one another and said no additional details were being released while the investigation is underway.
Downtown Violence in Context
The killing is the latest in a string of high-profile shootings in downtown Indianapolis this summer and has again put a spotlight on safety in the city’s entertainment district. WRTV has reported on a separate downtown parking-garage homicide that resulted in the arrest of a juvenile. At the same time, IMPD figures show overall citywide homicide totals are down compared with a year ago, even as isolated deadly incidents continue to occur, FOX59 noted.
What Police Want
Investigators are asking anyone with information, or with dash-cam or surveillance footage from the area, to contact IMPD at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS, WIBC reported. Detectives say they are continuing to process evidence and review video as they work to build a precise timeline of what unfolded in the parking lot.
