INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has released photos of a person of interest in the shooting deaths of two teen siblings on the city’s east side.

Officers were called just before 7:30 a.m. Friday to the 4100 block of Windhill Drive. That at the Postbrook Apartments off East 42nd Street east of North Post Road.

Police said Nicholas Nelson, 16, and his sister Ashlynn Nelson, 16, were found shot inside an apartment and pronounced dead at the scene.

The victims were students at Lawrence North High School, a Lawrence Townships Schools official said. The school released a statement saying it was “saddened” by news of the students’ deaths.

A vigil has been set for Saturday morning, Indianapolis City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson in a statement.

Jackson said people looking for a way to take a stand against violence can join the Anti-Violence Community Day & Peace Walk for the Far Eastside. It will start at 11 a.m. and include a moment of silence for Nicholas and Ashlynn. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, 8902 E. 38th St. The walk will conclude at Pathway Resource Center, 10119 John Marshall Drive.

IMPD officers said they were searching for a man who was seen fleeing the area after the shooting. A foot pursuit ensued, and IMPD special weapons and tactics officers and police dogs searched for the man — a drone also was used — but did not locate him.

Detectives released photos Friday afternoon of the person of interest who was seen running away from the area. Police did not identified the person as a suspect.

Anyone who recognizes the person was asked to call the IMPD homicide office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

Statements

“It is hard to find words to express the heartbreak all of us feel at the unnecessary violence plaguing the youth in our community, and for the unimaginable loss Nicholas and Ashlynn’s mother and family have been dealt. I call on the entire Indianapolis community to unite behind her and the entire Nelson family, as we all grieve the senseless loss of these two beautiful children. May God bless them all.
 
“The city and the Far Eastside community have been working hard to reduce gun violence and violent crime in our neighborhoods. Today’s events will only make us work harder to bring our community together in peace.”

Indianapolis City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson

“It absolutely breaks my heart to know that another family has been irreparably changed by this senseless violence. All human life is precious. Too many people are hurting in Indianapolis. I have met with countless families of murder victims, I have seen first-hand the lifetime of pain created by these acts of violence. The violence in our city disproportionately affects the black community of Indianapolis. We must stop ignoring this horrific reality, and come together as one.”

Indiana state Sen. Jim Merritt, candidate for mayor of Indianapolis

“The MSD of Lawrence Township is saddened to share that the siblings killed in this morning’s double homicide were both recently enrolled students at Lawrence North High School. We are working alongside the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and stand ready to support the Lawrence North High School community in any way.”

Metropolitan School District Lawrence Township