Gunfire cut through the post-fireworks crowd near Sarah T. Bolton Park on Friday night, leaving three teenagers hurt in an alley just off South Main Street, Beech Grove police said. The injuries were described as non-life-threatening: one teen was shot in the foot and taken to a hospital, while two others were hit by grazing rounds. Investigators believe the incident involved three teenagers and say it appears to be isolated. They are urging anyone who saw or heard anything to come forward.
What police say
According to WRTV, Deputy Police Chief Robert Mercuri said the shooting happened after the All-American Day in the Park & Fireworks show wrapped up, in an alley near Sarah T. Bolton Park in the 1500 block of South Main Street. Mercuri told the station that one victim was shot in the foot and taken to the hospital, while the other two had graze wounds. All three are expected to survive. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call 317-782-4934, WRTV reported.
Where it happened
Sarah T. Bolton Park is the long-standing home of the All-American Day in the Park & Fireworks. The Beech Grove Promoters Club lists the event address as 1300 Churchman Ave. The celebration typically pulls in food vendors and large holiday crowds, and police said the shooting unfolded in an alley off the park's Main Street side after the fireworks ended. With dense crowds, tight side streets, and a lot of people heading back to their cars all at once, canvassing for witnesses and tracking down usable surveillance video can quickly turn into a logistical headache for investigators.
Neighborhood context
The latest shooting lands in a year when public safety has already been front and center in Beech Grove. In February, a Beech Grove police officer was shot and killed, a case that led to a citywide vigil and drew extensive regional attention. Outlets such as KPTV covered that fatal shooting. In response to concerns about violence, local leaders and police have pushed community outreach efforts, including a recent peace walk highlighted by WRTV.
How to help
Anyone with information about the alley shooting is asked to call 317-782-4934 or send tips through the Beech Grove Police Department contact page at Beech Grove Police. Investigators say even small details or snippets of surveillance footage can be crucial in moving the case forward.
