ANDERSON, Ind. — Anderson police have now arrested and charged seven suspects – including one juvenile – in relation to a shooting over the summer that left eight victims and seriously injured two people.
Arenas Clay, 21, was the most recent suspect arrested in connection to the July shooting. Clay was taken into custody by Anderson police last Thursday, bringing the total number of suspects charged to seven. Those facing charges in the shooting include:
- Arenas Clay, 21
- Rosey Smith, 20
- Tavion Beard, 22
- Damarion Larry, 20
- Donisha Askew, 19
- Kenaires Ross, 18
- An unidentified juvenile
The felony charges filed against the six suspects include criminal recklessness, unlawful possession of a firearm and more. The charges stem from a “chaotic” shooting scene on July 21 that left at least eight people injured.
The shooting
Anderson Police Department crews were called just after midnight on Sunday, July 21, to the 2100 block of Arrow Avenue for a large gathering outside.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly found several people fighting in the street and blocking the roadway. APD said officers were trying to wade through and control the fight when over 80 gunshots rang out.
”It was absolute chaos,” Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said at the time. “There were over 80 rounds fired from at least five different weapons.”
As officers made their way through the crowds and toward the gunfire, they found several gunshot victims. In total, eight victims were given medical aid on scene and found to have been shot.
All victims were later listed in stable condition, with two people being listed in serious but stable. APD said Monday that all victims survived and are now in recovery. The victims were identified as:
- A 19-year-old
- A 21-year-old
- An 18-year-old
- A 23-year-old
- Two 22-year-olds
- A 25-year-old
Cummings said this started as a block party advertised as a “Stop the Violence” party that went late into the night with hundreds of people spilling into Anderson streets.
“The intent of this was a stop the violence block party,” Cummings said. “What a great idea, but how does that turn into the violence they were trying to prevent.”
Police investigation and arrests
Cummings said at the time that the shooting would be a difficult investigation for police.
”They’re relying on trying to find video surveillance from homes and things of that nature,” he said. “It’s a huge effort from police to try and put something like that together.”
On Monday, APD announced that crews had made “significant progress” in the investigation and announced seven arrests and the seizure of several illegally-possessed guns. The investigation was reportedly in collaboration with the ATF and other local agencies.
Arenas Clay of Anderson was arrested last Thursday on two counts of felony criminal recklessness, felony dealing in marijuana and misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a handgun. Clay made an initial hearing last Friday in Madison Circuit Court 6. A jury trial date has not been scheduled.
Clay was just the most recent in a string of arrests related to the shooting. Others who have been criminally charged include:
- Rosey Smith, 20, of Anderson
- Criminal Recklessness – Level 5 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Drawing a Weapon) – Level 6 Felony
- Tavion Beard, 22, of Anderson
- Possession of a Machine Gun – Level 5 Felony
- Unlawful Poss. of a Firearm by Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
- Damarion Larry, 20, of Anderson
- Criminal Recklessness (Shooting into a Building) – Level 5 Felony
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun – Class A Misdemeanor
- Donisha Askew, 19, of Indianapolis
- Criminal Recklessness (Shooting into a Building) – Level 5 Felony
- Kenaires Ross, 18, of Anderson
- Criminal Recklessness – Level 5 Felony
- Unlawful Poss. of a Firearm by Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
- Unidentified Juvenile
- Dangerous Possession of a Firearm – Misdemeanor Charge
Further investigation
APD said in a news release Monday that investigators are not done looking for suspects in the shooting.
“It’s important to note that our investigation is ongoing,” APD said. “The Anderson Police Department will continue to actively pursue all leads.”
Anyone with further information on the shooting is being asked to call APD Det. Cora Garcia at (765) 648-6729. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS.
