Toddler Critically Injured In Shooting At Wedding Reception

LAWRENCE, Ind. -- An 18-month-old girl was critically injured when she was shot in the head and two women were injured when gunfire erupted during a wedding reception Saturday night at a community park recreation building.

Lawrence police said three brothers -- Francisco, Jose and Isaias Ponce -- came to the reception at Lawrence Community Park to pick a fight with one of the guests.

"At one point, they stood up, turned a table over and started a scuffle with some of the other reception attendees," said Lawrence police Detective Gary Woodruff. "And then Francisco introduces a handgun into the fight."

Police said that when Francisco began firing, Yuridia Sosa was struck in the head.

"Apparently, the child was playing on the floor when the gunshots erupted," Woodruff said.

Sosa's mother, Mariela Rodriguez, was shot in the leg, and a third woman whose name wasn't released was shot in the ankle, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

"There were approximately 90 to 100 attendees, and ... when the shots rang out, it was utter chaos," Woodruff said. "People were running in every direction, and some of them actually pointed out the Ponce brothers to our officers."

Two officers who were in the area at the time of the shooting said they saw the brothers run through the parking lot and saw Francisco Ponce toss a gun under a car.

Francisco Ponce was charged with attempted murder. He was being held without bond Sunday at the Marion County Jail, according to court records. It wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.

Jose and Isaias Ponce were also arrested, Jose on charges of battery, disorderly conduct and public intoxication and Isaias on a public intoxication charge.

Some witnesses told police that the brothers had not been invited to the wedding. It was not immediately known whether the three men knew the bride and groom, Woodruff said.

Sosa underwent surgery at Methodist Hospital Sunday morning.