18-year-old woman killed in Beech Grove shooting; 15-year-old arrested and preliminarily charged with murder

BEECH GROVE, Ind. — An 18-year-old woman is dead following a shooting Sunday night in Beech Grove.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified her as 18-year-old Makayla Sue Bauman. In just over three weeks, Bauman would have celebrated her 19th birthday. Instead, her family is now grieving her death.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were first called to the 5900 block of Riva Ridge Drive — which is located near Arlington Avenue and Interstate 465 — around 9:05 p.m. on a report of a person shot. When police arrived at the scene, they located Bauman suffering from injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

IMPD initially reported that Bauman was in critical condition. No update was provided on Bauman’s condition until the coroner’s office announced that she had died.

IMPD did not make any additional information on the shooting available because the Beech Grove Police Department ultimately ended up leading the investigation.

Riva Ridge Drive is located just a couple of blocks away from the home of the victim’s parents.

The woman who lives at the address IMPD was called to said she doesn’t know Bauman’s family family. The woman added that she thinks whoever drove the victim stopped in front of her home at random.

Photos from the Riva Ridge Drive scene.

On Sunday night, BGPD Chief Michael Maurice reported that Bauman was actually involved in a shooting that is believed to have unfolded at the Park View at Beech Grove apartments, which are located in the 5400 block of Sagebrush Avenue. That complex is a few hundred yards north of Beech Grove High School.

A special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit was called to the 5400 block of Sagebrush Avenue during BGPD’s investigation. Neighbors at that complex claim they heard gunfire and saw officers break down the door to an apartment during the investigation. That apartment unit appears to be vacant.

“We wanted to make sure there were no suspects in a couple of abandoned apartments we were looking into close to the scene,” said Maurice said of Sunday’s SWAT presence.

Photo from the Sagebrush Avenue scene.

In a press release sent Monday night, the Beech Grove Police Department reported that a 15-year-old male was arrested for his alleged role in the shooting. He was apprehended after BGPD executed a search warrant at a residence located near the intersection of 34th Street and Emerson Avenue.

Per BGPD, the juvenile has been preliminarily charged with one count of murder.

In Indiana, the cases of suspects 15 and younger automatically start in juvenile court. Local prosecutors must petition to litigate the cases of suspects aged 15 and younger in adult court.

Maurice reported that his department is still actively investigating the shooting. Police are encouraging those with information on the shooting to contact BGPD at (317) 782-4934 or crimetips@beechgrove.com.

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