17-year-old to be charged as adult in connection with downtown mass shooting

A teenager will be charged as an adult after a mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis last weekend.

Charges of criminal recklessness and dangerous firearm possession have been filed against 17-year-old King Dennis.

The Marion County Prosecutor said Dennis will stand trial as an adult after shooting and injuring seven young people between the ages of 12 and 16. 

Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the move in a statement.

“The defendant’s criminal history, the alleged conduct, and Indiana statute require this individual to face felony charges as an adult,” Mears stated.

The shooting led IMPD to impose the state's curfew law for people under the age of 18. The incident also marks the third consecutive weekend when multiple people were shot at one location.

A motion for a larger bond has been requested, and if Dennis is released there will be a stay-away order restricting him from that area of downtown.

There have been 15 incidents of gun violence involving children under 18 since the beginning of the year in Marion County.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.