Indianapolis, Indiana – An early morning shooting on Indianapolis’ east side has left two people dead and two others injured, prompting an ongoing investigation by police and renewed calls from city leaders for changes at a troubled apartment complex.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said officers were dispatched just before 7 a.m. Saturday to the Hawthorne Place Apartments in the 5300 block of East 32nd Street after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they discovered four victims near a vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Police said all four victims had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Two of the victims were found inside the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene. The Marion County Coroner’s Office later identified them as 17-year-old Christian Maradiagas Gonzalez and 20-year-old Brayan Munoz Romero.
The other two victims, one a juvenile and the other an adult, were located outside of the vehicle when officers arrived. Both were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Investigators said they were believed to be in critical but stable condition as of Saturday morning.
Detectives remained at the apartment complex for several hours as they worked to process the scene, collect evidence, and interview potential witnesses. Police have not released details about what led up to the shooting or whether the victims knew each other. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced.
The shooting has drawn a strong response from city leaders, particularly given ongoing concerns about safety at the Hawthorne Place Apartments. Indianapolis City-County Councilors Keith Graves of District 9 and Ron Gibson of District 8 released a joint statement addressing the violence and calling for immediate action.
“This morning’s shooting at Hawthorne Apartments, where two people lost their lives and two others were seriously injured, is a devastating tragedy for the families affected and for our entire community. We stand with the victims and their loved ones and extend our deepest condolences.
No one should have to fear for their safety where they live, work, or play. The senseless violence we witnessed today is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods.
We must demand real accountability and immediate action. This includes calling on the Indianapolis Housing Agency and property owners to change ownership and management practices at Hawthorne Apartments to ensure residents have a safe, stable, and supportive place to call home. Our residents deserve safe homes, not violence.
-City-County Councilors Keith Graves and Ron Gibson”
Their statement reflects broader concerns raised in recent years about crime and safety conditions at certain apartment complexes across the city, particularly those with a history of repeated police calls. Community advocates have often pointed to the need for stronger management practices and closer cooperation between property owners and law enforcement.
Police have not confirmed whether the stolen vehicle played a role in the shooting, and investigators are continuing to examine all aspects of the case. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something around the time of the shooting to come forward.
IMPD emphasized that tips from the public can be critical in cases like this, especially when multiple victims are involved and details remain limited. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sonny Clark at the IMPD Homicide Office at (317)-327-3475 or by email at [email protected]. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317)-262-8477.
As the investigation continues, police and city leaders say their focus remains on finding those responsible and preventing further violence in the area.
