Shooting victim takes shelter in Indianapolis woman's apartment

Mom of five says her home was riddled with bullets after the victim ran inside to escape gunfire

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A woman in Indianapolis was awoken by gunshots around 1 a.m. on Saturday. She grabbed her young children and took shelter in the bathroom. Soon after, a bloodied person ran into her apartment, telling her he had been shot. The woman called 911, and the victim was taken to the hospital where he later died. The woman's apartment was left with bullet holes and reminders of the violence.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing gun violence issues in Indianapolis, where residents are increasingly having to deal with stray bullets and perpetrators seeking refuge in their homes. It also speaks to the trauma experienced by children who are exposed to such violence, even in the supposed safety of their own homes.

The details

The woman, who has five children, was asleep with her kids when gunshots woke them up around 1 a.m. She grabbed her 5-year-old son, niece and nephew and took shelter in the bathroom. Soon after, a bloodied person ran into her apartment, eventually crawling to her room to escape the bullets. The woman told the person to leave, but he said he had been shot. Another person in the apartment wrapped a shirt around the victim's arm wound. The woman then called 911, and first responders took the victim to the hospital where he later died. The woman's apartment was left with at least 10 bullet holes, including two that hit a wall where three of her sons usually sleep.

  • The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • The victim was taken to the hospital and later died from his injuries.

The players

Anonymous woman

A mother of five who was asleep with her young children when the shooting occurred outside her apartment.

Shooting victim

A person who was shot and ran into the woman's apartment to seek shelter, but later died from his injuries at the hospital.

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What they’re saying

“When he said, 'Mom, they shooting,' I said, 'OK baby, we OK because we're in the house,'”

— Anonymous woman, Mother (fox59.com)

“This is very horrifying, especially for a 5-year-old child to see this and hear this. He's only five, that's traumatizing. I'm still traumatized, I'm still shaking.”

— Anonymous woman, Mother (fox59.com)

“If my kids was in they room, one of them could have gotten hit, and I don't know where I'd be right now.”

— Anonymous woman, Mother (fox59.com)

What’s next

Investigators are asking those with information on the shooting to contact Detective Connie Pearson at the IMPD Homicide Office.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the urgent need to address gun violence in Indianapolis neighborhoods, where residents, including young children, are being traumatized by stray bullets and perpetrators seeking refuge in their homes. It highlights the toll this crisis is taking on families and the community's sense of safety.