Docs: Man accused of shooting teen outside Ben Davis HS football game tried to fire warning shots in self-defense

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man accused of shooting a teenager outside of a high school football game says he fired shots in self-defense. The victim, a 16-year-old boy, was taken to a hospital after being shot in the arm.

David Tillman, 18, was arrested shortly after the shooting. The shooting occurred during the fourth quarter of the Ben Davis vs. Carmel football game Friday night at Ben Davis High School. The game, which was being aired live on MyINDY-TV 23, was canceled. Players scrambled from the field and fans were evacuated from the stadium.

Tillman faces preliminary charges of carrying a handgun without a license, battery, criminal recklessness, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, escape, resisting law enforcement and criminal trespassing. Formal charges have not yet been filed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to court documents obtained by News 8, officers with MSD Wayne Township School Police chased Tillman on foot after the shooting and arrested him at gunpoint. Officers say they found a black 9mm semi-automatic Taurus handgun on Tillman.

The victim told investigators that a man shot him after an argument. Police say the victim’s description of the shooter matches Tillman.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has not released a mugshot for Tillman.

In an interview with police, Tillman said he shot the victim “on accident when he was firing warning shots at him in self-defense,” according to court documents.

Carmel’s athletics director told News 8 that Ben Davis uses metal detectors for people entering its stadium.

Online jail records indicate Tillman has an initial hearing in court on Thursday morning.

On Tuesday morning, IMPD announced that Tillman supplied a gun used by a 14-year-old in an attempted carjacking and shooting of a 16-year-old victim.