Make wishtv.com your home page

Child in Indianapolis hospital after shot at Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) — A child was in an Indianapolis hospital after being shot Tuesday afternoon at Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center, police said.

A Facebook post from Kokomo Police Department said officers were sent to the aquatic center about 5:10 p.m. Tuesday for the shooting.

The child who was shot was initially taken to a local hospital before being flown to Indianapolis, the post said.

Deputies from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department found another child leaving the area who had a firearm and detained the juvenile.

A Kokomo police spokesperson, Capt. Scott Purtee, declined Tuesday night to say whether the child is a boy or a girl, and his or her age. The injured child’s condition was unknown, he said. The police department will release more information Wednesday about the shooting, Purtee said.

Kokomo police provided some additional information on Wednesday: A boy taken to the Kinsey Youth Center faces two potential charges of firearm charges. No additional information was given on the boy taken to the youth center. Also, witnesses told police that a fight with at least five boys happened prior to the shooting, but investigators are trying to identify the boys.

It’s unknown if the aquatic center has reopened. A phone call Wednesday by News 8 to the facility provided a voice mail that says the aquatic center will not answer messages. The aquatic center includes a surfing pool, a competition and lap pool, water slides, a lazy river and other amenities. The center opened in 2002.

Anyone with information was asked to call Kokomo Police Department Capt. Mike Banush at 765-456-7278 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

In a Wednesday Facebook post, Kokomo Police Department said it’s met with Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann about an increasing amount of “incidents” at Kokomo Beach and the nearby Foster Park. The post said in part, “We are in agreement that in moving forward, there will be zero-tolerance for any individual aiding, inducing, or participating in crimes within our parks, trails, or other public facilities. The Kokomo Police Department will continue to utilize all resources available to ensure the safety of our citizens and all perpetrators will be met with the full prosecutorial powers of the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office.”

Crime Map
Use Search Bars Above To Search Crime Data