Police: Suspect arrested in ‘heart-wrenching’ shooting that left pregnant woman on life support

ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) — A pregnant woman was shot Friday around 3 a.m. in the 4200 block of Mellen Drive and airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital, police said.

Officials identified the victim as Alexis Wasson, 29.

She was placed on life support and declared “brain-dead,” according to Anderson Police Chief Tony Watters.

“It’s a very heart-wrenching case,” Watters told News 8. “That family is now having to endure the task of disconnecting her from life support.”

Skye’lar White, 29, of Anderson was arrested Friday night on a preliminary charge of attempted murder in connection with the shooting.

Detectives located White at an undisclosed location in Anderson after receiving a tip, police said.

White had initially been identified as a person of interest in the case. Police declined to comment on why he was upgraded to a suspect late Friday afternoon.

Authorities were unable to confirm the relationship, if any, between White and Wasson. Motive remained unclear Friday night.

Kenny Auker, the son of Wasson’s neighbor, said he was “nearly in tears” after learning about the pregnant woman’s life-threatening injuries.

He described Mellen Drive as a “quiet place” and said he was shocked police were investigating a shooting across the street from his mother’s home.

Auker had seen the victim’s friend sobbing Friday morning in a tobacco store, he said, and repeated details she had revealed about Wasson’s pregnancy. Authorities declined to confirm how far along she was or if she was carrying more than one child.

White was being held Friday night at the Madison County Jail. Attorneys for White could not be reached for comment.