Gunshot Rings Out At Indy Mall

INDIANAPOLIS -- A gunshot rang out in the food court at Lafayette Square Mall Friday evening, but the incident wasn't reported until more than half an hour later, about the same time that someone called police to tell them about a body found in front of a house nearby.

Police said the mall shooting happened a little after 5 p.m., while the report of a body found in front of a house in the 2100 block of North Sharon Avenue was called in at about 5:40 p.m.

After further investigation, police determined that the incidents are not related. Investigators had found no evidence that the bullet that was fired struck anyone, but they found blood near the mall scene.

Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul Thompson said Lee Johnson, 29, called police and told them he and another man got into an argument with three other men near the food court.

"Apparently, an individual was involved in an argument with two or three other individuals and he withdrew and fired his weapon after being threatened with a knife," Thompson said.

Police said he had a permit to carry the weapon.

Lindsey Johnson was in the mall when the shooting happened.

"I heard the shooting, but I didn't see who did it," Johnson said. "It's just crazy, all this violence and it's Christmas time and around the kids."

At the Sharon Avenue scene, medics found an unresponsive man, later identified as Herschel Jenkins, 22, of Indianapolis. Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy didn't determine a cause of death, though toxicology tests are pending.

"Jenkins had apparently walked away from a mental health care facility about 45 minutes prior to his body being discovered," Thompson said Sunday.

Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams said the situation is sad, no matter the details.

"I just know there's a body over there with a sheet over it. Therefore, my heart is heavy that somebody lost a son, a husband or a friend," Williams said.

Police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.