Several illegal firearms were taken off Indianapolis streets, and five people were arrested

Indianapolis, Indiana – Shooting incidents have been on the rise in Indianapolis, Indiana, in recent years. According to a gun violence analysis by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), there were 296 homicides and 456 non-fatal injury shootings in the city from March 1, 2018 to February 29, 2020. In 2021, there were 245 homicides and more than 450 non-fatal shootings as of July 30.

The local authorities and leaders have taken various measures to combat this trend of gun violence. Implementing a new crime reporting system called NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) that captures more detailed data on each crime incident and helps identify patterns and trends. Launching a new violence reduction strategy called Group Violence Intervention (GVI) that targets high-risk individuals and groups involved in gun violence and offers them social services and legal consequences. Expanding community-based programs such as Crime Stoppers, Peacemakers, Ten Point Coalition and others that provide tips, outreach, mediation and support to prevent and reduce violence

Although this programs are providing some results in combating the deadly trend in the area, many crime experts agree that the best way to fight this trend is to take illegal firearms off Indianapolis streets. This past weekend, several law enforcement agencies’, including the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force and IMPD crews, joint efforts resulted in seizing several pieces of firearms and several people taken into custody.

Five individuals have been apprehended by the ICGTF, and a search of their vehicle yielded the discovery of four guns, two of which were equipped with machine gun conversion devices. The arrest was made after ICGTF detectives were alerted to an 18-year-old man who had made threats to seek retribution for a recent shooting incident.

On March 11, law enforcement personnel observed the man in the vicinity of the 4900 block of Julian Avenue, near E Washington Street and S Emerson Avenue. An IMPD Incident Analysis Center staff, utilizing a mobile trailer camera, was also able to track the man’s movements at this location.

The man was later stopped by officers near E Washington Street and N Riley Avenue, and the officers detected the scent of marijuana emanating from the vehicle during the stop.

According to the report provided by the law enforcement, crews found marijuana and several pieces of weapons with machinegun conversion devices attach to guns. Machinegun conversion devices are easily attachable to the weapons and are used to convert a semi-auto weapon to fully automatic one.

This is the full list of illegal items found in the vehicle:

• Handgun with an obliterated serial number, an extended magazine, and a machinegun conversion device attached
• AR-15 style pistol with obliterated serial number and a machinegun conversion device attached
• Handgun with an extended magazine
• Handgun
• Marijuana

“We will never know what type of violence this investigation may have prevented,” said Chief Randal Taylor. “I appreciate the work of all officers and detectives involved.”

So far, no additional details were given by the authorities citing ongoing investigation. Once more details are available, we will update the story.

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