Court documents tie police shooting of teens to Indianapolis homicide investigation and firearms allegations

Homicide investigation led to surveillance and attempted vehicle stop

Court records filed in Marion County detail how an Indianapolis homicide investigation escalated into an officer-involved shooting on the city’s far east side, involving multiple teenagers inside a vehicle police linked to a killing earlier the same day.

The documents describe investigators tracking a 2014 silver Ford Escape they associated with a fatal shooting reported in the 1400 block of North Webster Avenue. The victim, described in the affidavit as a male found shot at that address, was later pronounced dead.

Affidavit outlines gunfire during SWAT intervention

The probable cause affidavit states that on Saturday, officers assigned to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes Task Force and a SWAT team were conducting surveillance when the Escape was targeted for a stop in the 10900 block of East 10th Street.

The affidavit alleges that as SWAT officers attempted to halt the vehicle using a grappling device, a 16-year-old passenger, identified as Jamar Neil, leaned out of the front passenger window and fired multiple shots toward a SWAT vehicle. Officers returned fire, and the Escape was then stopped. All four occupants were taken into custody, the filing says.

• Three juveniles were taken to a hospital following the incident.
• Two juveniles had gunshot wounds; a third juvenile’s injuries were described as not related to gunfire.
• An adult male occupant was also taken into custody.

Charges filed against one teen; others not yet charged

Neil was charged as an adult. Court filings list two Level 5 felony counts: dangerous possession of a firearm and criminal recklessness for allegedly shooting a firearm into an occupied vehicle or inhabited dwelling.

The dangerous-possession charge level indicates the juvenile is alleged to have a prior conviction or delinquency adjudication that elevates the offense under Indiana law.

As of the filing described in the court documents, no charges had been announced for the other occupants of the vehicle.

Firearms recovered; alleged statement cited in affidavit

Investigators reported recovering three firearms from the vehicle, including two Glock-style pistols and an AR-style pistol. The affidavit also describes a statement attributed to Neil while he was being treated at a hospital after his arrest.

The filing says Neil told a nurse he “busted back,” interpreted in the document as meaning he fired back, and said he did not know the individuals were police.

The nurse later confirmed to officers that she heard the statement, the affidavit says.

Next procedural step

The court record indicates Neil was scheduled for an initial hearing Thursday morning. The homicide investigation that prompted the surveillance remained under investigation at the time the filings were summarized.