Muncie mayor announces arrest in connection to mass shooting during emotional prayer vigil
UPDATE: Josh Vance, 36, is charged with aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the Muncie Police Department announced Tuesday. He is not charged with the murder of Joseph Bonner, who is the man that was killed in Sunday’s mass shooting.
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — A Muncie man was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon in connection to Sunday’s mass shooting, officials announced in a release Tuesday night.
John Vance, 36, was arrested by the Muncie Police Department around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour made the announcement to the public at an emotional prayer vigil at Berea Church Tuesday night.
Around 1:14 a.m. Sunday morning, police were dispatched to the area of Hackley and Willard Streets on a report that multiple people had been shot.
30-year-old Joseph Bonner was confirmed dead at the scene. At least 19 others were injured in the shooting and were taken to area hospitals. Tuesday’s release says three people were said to be in stable condition in Indianapolis hospitals, and four others were still patients at Ball Memorial Hospital.
Dozens of all different walks of faith joined together at the Berea Church to mourn the tragedy and heal as a community.
Lifelong Muncie resident Susan Johnson described Tuesday as a sad day for Muncie. “It’s like a black cloud over our city. In the words of the late Marwin Strong, ‘Enough is enough.’”
“It was devastating, and I don’t know that I can describe how responsible a person can feel,” Ridenour said at the vigil. “This doesn’t solve the pain, but we hope this can move our community towards some closure.”
Online court documents show that Vance has been previously charged with several felonies.
Vance is being held at the Delaware County jail on a $55,000 bond while the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office makes final charges.
City officials say they have partnered with the Concerned Clergy of Muncie to set up a relief fund for those affected by the shooting. They are also providing mental health resources to those in need.
News 8’s Danielle Zulkosky contributed to this story.
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