An early Sunday morning gathering at a Muncie shopping plaza ended in gunfire, leaving five people wounded and police investigating what happened in two different areas of the parking lot.
According to The Star Press and WIBC, Muncie police were dispatched to White River Plaza, located in the 2100 block of West White River Boulevard, at approximately 1:02 a.m. Sunday, October 25.
Officers discovered two gunshot victims at the scene and transported them to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in police vehicles. Three additional victims arrived at the hospital in private vehicles.
Police said two of the five victims were treated and released, while three remained hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Muncie Police Deputy Chief Melissa Criswell said preliminary findings indicated at least two altercations occurred in separate sections of the parking lot. Investigators have not publicly established exactly how those disputes relate to the shootings.
The shopping plaza is located near Ball State University, although authorities have not confirmed any connection between the victims and the university.
As of the latest reporting, no arrests had been announced. Detectives and evidence technicians continued investigating the incident.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Muncie detectives at 765-747-4867.
Five people wounded in a single parking lot incident raises serious questions about public safety, particularly around late-night gathering places.
What do you think is driving incidents like this across Indiana?
Should shopping plazas and other late-night gathering spots have increased security, or does preventing this kind of violence require addressing much bigger problems?
Source and Photo Fox 59