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3 dead after shootings during violent Indianapolis riots

Investigators say the three shootings occurred separately and were not officer-involved incidents

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Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — At least three people were killed after “multiple shootings” were reported in downtown Indianapolis Saturday night into early Sunday morning as protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis turned into violent riots.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said one of the shootings happened around 2:30 a.m. near the intersection of Talbot and Market streets, in the heart of the downtown area.

“Enough is enough,” IMPD Police Chief Randal Taylor told reporters shortly before midnight. “Indianapolis, we are better than this. Downtown is not safe at this time. Residents who do not live in the downtown area, we’re asking to please vacate the area.”

Between 11:45 p.m. and 3 a.m., five people were reportedly shot, three of whom died as the protests became dangerous for a second straight night in Indianapolis.

Earlier in the evening, the IMPD put out an advisory, telling residents to avoid the downtown area.

“We are investigating multiple shootings downtown,” police tweeted. “These are NOT officer-involved incidents.”

Police said officers fired no shots during the overnight hours.

The protests over the police violence against black Americans in Indianapolis started calm Saturday afternoon, as demonstrators gathered in the afternoon in the city’s Monument Circle. But after sunset, tension began to rise and the protests turned violent, with people breaking windows and setting fires.

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Taylor told reporters that such behavior wouldn’t be tolerated, urging everyone to go home.

“If you’re still down here tonight you are more than likely into something that you shouldn’t be and we want you to go home,” he said.

Deputy Chief Josh Barker said some arrests were reported but did not have a definite number.

“There were several people down here who had no intention to protest. Their intention was to riot,” Barker said.

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