29 organizations call for gun regulation after deadly Halloween party shooting

Sarah Nelson, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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Crime scene tape remains up in the 5100 block of East 65th Street Sunday morning as police continue to investigate a shooting at a party that left a woman dead and nine other people injured.

An explosion of gunfire at a Halloween party over the weekend that resulted in multiple injuries and a teen girl’s death has prompted calls for stricter gun laws.

In an open letter, penned by a coalition of churches, advocacy groups and youth groups, the members lamented the shooting at a business park on East 65th Street early Oct. 29 that killed 16-year-old Kalin Washington and injured nine other people – all between the ages 16-21.

More: Girl dies at Halloween party promoted on Snapchat. Indy police want to know who's behind it

“It is disheartening that even during moments of celebration, gun violence continues to rear its ugly head,” the letter states.

The shooting marked another event ending with deadly gunfire in Indianapolis this year. It's the second time in the past few months that four people were gunned down at an event. In June, a shooting along a bustling Broad Ripple Avenue killed three people in their 20s and injured a fourth person.

As of Nov. 3, 153 people have been killed in criminal homicides. The number does not include police shootings or self-defense killings.

The letter says the shooting underscores the need for stronger firearm laws at every level and called on lawmakers to pass legislation to prevent further tragedies. The laws include removing the state’s preemption on local governments from creating stricter regulations on firearms, ending permitless carry, requiring background checks for gun sales at gun shows, increasing the minimum age to purchase firearms and creating gun storage laws.

The letter stressed lawmakers should also invest in root causes of violence, including expanding mental health care, employment programs, mentorships and after-school programs.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 29 organizations and 81 people signed onto the letter.

“It is our hope that in the wake of these ongoing recent events, our leaders and communities can come together to work towards a safer, more secure future for all residents of Indiana,” the letter said.

More: Read the full petition here

Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis gun laws: Groups call for regulation after girl killed