Muncie teen wounded in early Tuesday drive-by shooting

Muncie police early Tuesday were investigating an apparent drive-vey shooting on South Hackley Street that left a 15-year-old city youth with a bullet wound.
Muncie police early Tuesday were investigating an apparent drive-vey shooting on South Hackley Street that left a 15-year-old city youth with a bullet wound.

MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie police early Tuesday were investigating what was believed to be a drive-by shooting that left a 16-year-old youth with a bullet wound.

The shooting was reported in the 2700 block of South Hackley Street about 12:20 a.m.

Deputy Chief Melissa Criswell of the Muncie Police Department said the shooting took place as several residents were outside setting off fireworks.

As a result of the noise produced by the fireworks, they did not initially realize a gunshot had been fired.

The bullet struck the teenager in one of his legs. He was taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and was later released after treatment in the emergency department.

According to scanner traffic, a Chevrolet Malibu was observed fleeing from the scene, traveling south on Hackley.

Criswell said there were reports a possible suspect was hanging out of a "bluish-gray colored" four-door car when the shot was fired.

Police used yellow crime scene tape to block access to a large area stretching from Hackley and 20th streets to just north of the intersection with 21st Street.

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About 12:45 a.m., there was speculation a car involved in a collision at Tillotson Avenue and Jackson Street might be tied to the southside shooting.

That possible connection was not confirmed, however, according to Brandon Qualls of the MPD.

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Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie youth, 16, shot outside southside home early Tuesday