1 shot in domestic dispute in Lawrence Township school parking lot
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was shot during a domestic dispute in the parking lot of an early learning center on the city’s northeast side Friday afternoon.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called to 8510 E. 82nd St. around 1 p.m. Friday on reports of a person shot. That’s the address for the Early Learning Center at Mary Castle, which shares a campus with Mary Castle Elementary School.
When officers arrived they found one victim with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
A spokesperson for Mary E Castle Elementary School confirmed the shooting happened in the parking lot of the early learning center. No students or staff were injured.
Lawrence Township Schools has several early learning centers for its kindergarten and preschool programs.
Both the early learning center and the middle school were immediately placed on lockdown.
“As the area is now a crime scene, all students will be dismissed early and should be picked up on the west side of ELC Mary Castle,” the spokesperson said in a statement Friday.
Students who aren’t picked up by normal dismissal time will be able to ride the bus home. School officials say no after-care programming will be available at either site Friday.
Statement
“‘In times of crises we all have the potential to morph up to a new level and do things we never thought possible.’ -Stuart Wilde
“I would just like to express much thanks and gratitude to our amazing MEC school community. Our students and staff were resilient, remained calm and followed protocol as we followed our lockdown procedures this afternoon around 1pm. I want to give a huge thank you to our students. They followed directions promptly and did what needed to be done for safety. I certainly appreciate all of our staff for stepping up to assist families and to ensure our students were kept safe during lockdown and while we dismissed. Thank you to every family for your patience, understanding, and your trust in our staff. Although we were faced with a very unfortunate situation, I am reminded of why our school community is so wonderful.
“If you have any questions, please do not hesitate reaching out to me. If any further and relevant information should arise, I will communicate with families accordingly.”
Principal Carl Blythe of Mary Castle Elementary School on April 30, 2021, in a note to the “MEC School Community”
