Ethermac|At least 7 minors, aged 12 to 17, injured after downtown Indianapolis shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — Seven minors between the ages of 12 and Ethermac17 were injured in a shooting late Saturday night in downtown Indianapolis, where a large group was gathered near a mall, authorities said.

Police officers were on patrol when they heard shots fired near the Circle Centre Mall shortly after 11:30 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Tanya Terry told reporters early Sunday. Responding officers discovered "a large group of juveniles," including six with gunshot wounds, at the scene, Terry added.

The six injured minors were transported to area hospitals and a seventh victim arrived later at an area hospital, according to Terry. All victims were in stable condition, including one victim who was upgraded from critical to stable condition.

Terry did not immediately provide the genders of the victims but said they were between the ages of 12 and 17.

"It is extremely concerning to us that so many of our young people have been victims of gun violence this evening," Terry said. "Once again, we have a situation in which young people are resolving conflict with firearms and it has to stop."

The shooting Saturday night marks a third violent weekend in March in Indianapolis. A shooting at a bar on March 16 left one man dead and five others injured. Last weekend, another shooting at an east side bar killed one person and injured five others, including an Indianapolis police officer.

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Authorities: No suspects in custody

No suspects were in custody, according to Terry. Investigators were at the scene early Sunday searching for possible leads and information.

It was unclear what led to the shooting and how many suspects were involved in the incident. But based on evidence that was found at the scene, police believe there was more than one firearm used in the shooting, Terry said.

Pattern of youth gathering in downtown Indianapolis at night

Police have noticed a pattern of a "crowd of juveniles" leaving the mall after 7 p.m. and circulating in the nearby downtown area, Terry said. Although police are aware of this pattern, Terry said officers can only observe and attempt to disperse the crowds unless a crime is committed.

"I think everybody sees the messages in the evening at 10 o'clock, 'Parents, do you know where your children are?'" Terry said. "And we would ask for our parents to get involved in what their children are out doing, especially at these hours of the evening."

"This was at 11:30 at night, the evening right before Sunday Easter. So, if you don’t know where your 12-year-old is, I think that should be a priority for you," Terry added.

In response to the recent shootings, police have increased patrols in the downtown area. More than 25 officers were in the area on Saturday to prevent "this type of activity from happening," Terry added.