FLOYD COUNTY, Ind. — One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at a harvest festival in southern Indiana.
A Facebook post from the New Albany Police Department indicates officers were called to the area of State and Black Streets around 9:53 p.m. in reference to a shooting. When police arrived in the area, they located three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Per NAPD, one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
WDRB, a FOX station in Louisville, has reported that NAPD identified the decedent as 18-year-old Bryce Gerlach during a press conference. In a statement, Corydon Central Athletics indicated events were held at First Capital Christian Church, the Harrison County Fairgrounds and Corydon Central High School to honor Gerlach.
“Our hearts are incredibly heavy today as news was revealed that we have lost Bryce Gerlach,” Corydon Central Athletics’ statement read. “There are not enough words to describe the condolences we extend to his family and friends.
“Plans are being made to have many additional counselors at school tomorrow, and this upcoming week, in support of our students and staff.”
WDRB reported that NAPD identified the other two victims wounded in the shooting as a 22-year-old man and 42-year-old woman.
In its Facebook post, NAPD indicated its officers were already in the area before the shooting happened because the Harvest Homecoming Festival was going on nearby.
In another Facebook post, festival organizers indicated all events scheduled for Sunday were canceled “out of respect for those impacted by the tragedy last night and the overall wellbeing of our patrons, vendors and volunteers.”
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in the vicinity of the Harvest Homecoming Festival Saturday evening,” a statement from festival organizers read. “We are grateful for the swift response from law enforcement and first responders. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, as well as all patrons and community members impacted by this tragedy.”
The mayor of New Albany, Jeff Gahan, also issued a statement on the shooting:
I want to offer my condolences to the family of the young man who lost his life last evening in New Albany. My thoughts and prayers are with them today.
I also want to thank the police officers, emergency workers, festival volunteers, and others who quickly went into action helping others get to safety.
We’ve enjoyed a safe Harvest Homecoming for nearly 57 years, but sadly, this type of gun violence is now all too common across the United States.
Gun violence at a family festival is heartbreaking and tragic, and our country must find a way to come together to stop this type of violence.
The New Albany Police Department is working to bring those accountable to justice.
New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan
