Teenage student dead after shooting outside KIPP Indy high school, 15-year-old arrested

updated Monday, Nov. 6, 9:55 A.M.

Fifteen-year-old Devin Gilbert III died after being shot in the parking lot of KIPP Indy Legacy High School in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood Friday afternoon. Shortly after, police arrested another 15-year-old for his alleged role in the killing.

Gilbert's death marks the 37th young person, between ages 13 and 19, killed by gun violence this year, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department homicide data.

The student was walking home from the school shortly before 1 p.m. when the shooting took place near 23rd Steet and Ralston Avenue, according to a statements by the school and police. 

"After being rushed to the hospital to receive medical care, our student sadly passed away," KIPP Indy said in a satatement. "We are in ongoing communication with the student’s family, and will continue to offer support during this extremely difficult time.

"On Monday, we will have on-site supports available for students and staff as our school community processes this tragedy," the statement continued.

The identity of the student has not been released. The high school is part of the local KIPP Indy charter school network and enrolls around 375 students in grades 9-12, according to the most recent state data.

IMPD said the teen suspect in the killing was arrested due to cooperation of community members and is not a KIPP student.

"Witnesses provided officers with a description of a possible suspect and additional members of the community provided officers with information on the suspect’s location," IMPD said in a statement.

Police believe the shooting was targeted and no one else was injured in the incident that happened on the campus of the school and the Edna Martin Christian Center on the 2200 block of Ralston Avenue. 

This shooting comes during a violent week for teens in Indianapolis.

Thursday IMPD arrested a man for his alleged role in the murder of 15-year-old Janiya Carr.

Kalin Washington, 16, was shot and killed during a large party on Indianapolis' north side early last Sunday. Nine young people, ranging in age from 16 to 21 years old, were also shot.

Mayor Joe Hogsett responded to the shooting death outside the school with a statement.

"This afternoon’s shooting of an Indianapolis teen is another example of the horrific combination of access to firearms and a failure of conflict resolution. No young person should have to worry about gun violence, let alone near a school," he said. "Thank you to the witnesses who came forward to share information with IMPD so they could bring the suspect into custody and help bring justice to all involved."

Gun violence is a main issue in Tuesday's mayoral election between Hogsett and Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve. Both want to require a permit to carry handguns in the city. A 2022 law no longer requires a permit to legally carry, conceal or transport a handgun within the state.

Contact WFYI education editor Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org.