A 53-year-old man has died after a shooting on Indianapolis' east side early Thursday, with officers converging on the area near Ritter Avenue and 21st Street just after midnight to find a gunshot victim fighting for his life. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, but did not survive.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Jason Alexander Payton, according to wthr.com. The outlet reported that responding officers found Payton already shot and described as being in critical condition when he was taken to the hospital, but he later died there. WRTV had first reported that one person was in critical condition following the shooting on Indianapolis' east side, while wishtv.com later reported that the man had died.
Shots Heard Near Ritter and 21st Just After Midnight
Per wishtv.com's reporting, the shooting happened just after midnight on Ritter Avenue near 21st Street. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said an officer who was responding to another call in the area heard shots fired near East 21st Street and Ritter Avenue around 12:38 a.m. Thursday, according to the same outlet's report, which also appeared on fox59.com.
Officers who went to investigate found the victim at that location. According to fox59.com's account, police said there had been some type of disturbance in a parking lot between the victim and at least one other person before the shooting occurred.
No Suspect Identified, Investigation Ongoing
Investigators were canvassing the area for witnesses and looking for surveillance footage in hopes of getting a description of a suspect, fox59.com reported. Police have not said what led to the shooting, and as of the latest reporting, no one was under arrest in connection with the case, according to wishtv.com.
The shooting remains under investigation, and WRTV characterized its initial report as a developing story. No further updates on a motive, suspect, or possible arrest have been confirmed in the reporting so far.
