1 dead, multiple injured after block party shooting in Muncie, Indiana
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — A large party turned deadly after a shooting on the south side of Muncie early Sunday morning.
At 1:14 a.m., Delaware County dispatch received a call for multiple people shot in the area of South Hackley Street and East Willard Street.
Police say due to the nature of the incident and the number of victims, multiple agencies including SWAT surrounded the area. The intersection between Willard and Hackley was blocked for investigation but has since been reopened as of Sunday afternoon.
A 30-year-old man was confirmed dead by police. Multiple victims are receiving treatment at a local hospital, and more critical patients were airlifted to other facilities, police say.
Neil Gifford, a spokesperson for Ball Memorial Hospital and IU Health, said that at around 1:30 a.m., the hospital got a call advising that they would be receiving a large number of patients. According to Gifford, 19 people arrived at the emergency department, 4 of those people were taken to other facilities, 13 people were admitted and stabilized, and 2 people were treated and released.
As of Sunday morning, Gifford was working to confirm the ages of the people who were hurt and their conditions.
News 8 spoke with a witness who said they were at a block party with at least 100 people when the shooting happened. The witness said individuals at the block party were carrying guns and began spraying fire.
One witness told News 8’s Amicia Ramsey that their brother was shot and had to be rushed to the Ball Memorial Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.
Police did not say what led to the shooting or any information on a possible suspect.
Anyone with information should contact the Muncie Police Department Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or Muncie Police Dispatch at 765-747-4838.
The Muncie Homecoming Festival Committee released the following statement Sunday afternoon:
“The Muncie Homecoming Festival committee, organizers and volunteers are saddened to hear of the senseless tragedy that occurred in our great city just shortly after 1 AM on Sunday July 30, 2023 at Hackley and Willard streets.
The loss of life and multiple injuries occurred at a local block party that was not a part of the official MHF weeklong celebration events and programming, but has certainly left us all bereft as our community mourns together.
We are praying for the families of the young man who passed away as well as the families who have relatives who were injured and remain hospitalized.
This tragedy will not stop the hard work and dedication of those who endeavor to make Muncie a peaceful and loving community. Acts of violence will not be tolerated here and we are united and moving forward in a positive manner even in grief.”
Muncie Homecoming Festival
