Two men are facing many felony counts after allegedly shooting at a pregnant woman on Indianapolis’ near north side.
According to court records, the case occurred while officers were investigating an ongoing nuisance property. IMPD alleges that 71 calls for service have come in from the same property around 35th and Graceland Avenue over the last six months.
On June 25, with that home already under surveillance by one of IMPD’s violence reduction teams, court records show that 22-year-old Jalen Anderson and 21-year-old William Watkins became enraged because a woman was dressed provocatively while pregnant with Anderson’s unborn child, prompting Watkins to allegedly shoot at the victim and damage her car.
Fortunately, the woman was not injured by the shooting.
Neighborhood leaders say this type of violence is frustrating because it is preventable.
“What we have in some of these higher crime neighborhoods is repeat violence in the same locations over and over again because there is no accountability when it comes to these repeat violent offenders,” Rev. Charles Harrison said.
In fact, in addition to the shooting in late June, Anderson, a convicted violent felon, is also accused of shooting the same pregnant woman two weeks earlier on June 11.
Watkins was also arrested in January on suspicion of shooting another person.
Less than a month later, he accepted a plea agreement that resulted in probation and home detention, but it did not stop him from allegedly pulling the trigger last month.
“These recurrent violent offenders are causing the violence. “They really are,” Harrison explained. “It is the biggest challenge we have as a city right now.”
Watkins has now been charged with criminal recklessness, pointing a handgun, and unauthorized possession of a firearm by a significant violent felon.
Anderson is now facing charges of domestic abuse, battery resulting in injury to a pregnant woman, unlawful confinement, and kidnapping.
He has also been charged with criminal recklessness and unauthorized possession of a firearm by a major violent felon in connection with the June 11 incident.
Harrison and the Ten Point Coalition patrol the Crown Hill neighborhood, which includes Graceland Avenue.
Harrison feels the judicial system’s reluctance to adequately punish repeat offenders instills fear and frustration in neighbors.
“They want to live in safe communities, and they understand what the issue is. They know it’s these serial offenders that continue to cause violence and end up back on the streets, which is why people are frightened to speak out,” Harrison added.
Both suspects are being held without bond for seven days, after which they could be eligible for a higher-than-standard bond.
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