INDIANAPOLIS — Police are still investigating a shooting early Sunday morning on the canal that left a 24-year-old woman dead.
It happened just a week after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed, along the waterway. Police are investigating that as a self-defense shooting.
Officials with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are taking some extra steps to keep people safe after these two recent acts of violence on the canal.
Walking, running, or spending time with the family. You can find people enjoying the canal at all hours of the day.
"We use the canal. We love to walk, we are really active," Evelyn Malcomb, who lives downtown, said.
Early Sunday morning a trip to the canal turned deadly for a 24-year-old woman after she was shot and killed.
"You want to feel like everywhere close to home is a safe place to be but that's not always the case," Malcomb said.
Police have not released information on what may have led up to the shooting. It happened just about a week after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed here. Police said the boy was trying to rob someone when he was shot.
Malcomb said she frequents the canal with her dog. She said these tragedies won't stop her from coming but they are a good reminder to be alert. Others feel the same way.
"I wouldn't avoid the canal, maybe a little more alertness," Michele Hill, who was visiting downtown, said. "Again, I think it's always safer to travel in a group and not by yourself."
"I always consciously or subconsciously take a quick inventory because you're down here right it's not like you're up high and people can see you so I always, especially when I'm with my wife, try to get a feel for things," Steve Hill said.
Police said they're working hard to try to prevent any additional tragedies.
"We have extra officers coming into patrol and we're making sure our bike units are spending more time on the canal," IMPD Capt. Jerry Leary said. "It's better lighting, DMD has stepped up with better lighting, cameras, we are installing more cameras down there."
Police offered a little advice.
"If you're going to engage somebody make sure it's in a friendly manner, don't instigate but most of all just be aware of your environment," Leary said.
