LAWRENCE, Ind. -- A man who lost his own son years ago helped give CPR to a 14-year-old shooting victim Saturday evening.
Mike Beeler was outside in his garage when he heard shots fired at The Lion's Club near North Richardt Avenue and East 46th Street just after 10:30 p.m.
Lawrence police were called after a fight between two individuals attending a teenager's birthday party turned into a fight between two groups of people. Several shots were then fired. In total, five juveniles were hit with gunfire.
"At a birthday party," Beeler said. "This is senseless for somebody to handle their problem with a gun. ... There was a lot, lots of kids. A lot more than I thought was over there."
As many as 70 people were inside, parents included.
Beeler acted quickly and gave one 14-year-old shooting victim CPR. That 14-year-old was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition. His family identified him as Daron Johnson.
The other four victims had non-life-threatening injuries.
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"I really hope that gave him the fighting chance to get him to the doctors and let them get him the treatment he needed," he said.
Beeler's own son died three years ago.
"Losing a child is the worst feeling in the world," he said. "I wake up every day and it's a struggle every day not to be able to see my son. I don't want them to have to go to that. ... You don't ever get over it."
Lawrence police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the shooting, but there could be other suspects. If you have any information - call crime stoppers at 317-262-8477.
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