A mass shooting at a shopping center parking lot in Indianapolis on September 21, 2025, left two people dead and five others injured, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The shooting occurred just after 2:00 a.m. in the 6800 block of Shore Terrace on the city’s northwest side.
Officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a person shot and initially found five victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to area hospitals. Subsequently, two additional victims sought medical attention independently – one walked into a local hospital and another went to a nearby fire station, both with gunshot wounds believed to be from the same incident.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased victims as 38-year-old Rodney Allen Taylor and 29-year-old Dante Lynn Hogans. Among the survivors, three victims were reported in critical condition while two others were listed in serious but stable condition.
Initial police investigations revealed that a disturbance had occurred before the shooting, though authorities have not provided specific details about the nature of that disturbance. The incident took place in a parking lot near Vibez Ultra Lounge, which describes itself as a newly remodeled lounge bar.
During a news conference on September 23, Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey provided additional details about the sequence of events. Bailey indicated that according to witnesses, one man grabbed a handgun from another man’s waist and began shooting. The man whose weapon was taken then pulled a second firearm and shot the first individual. Investigators believe a third, unidentified person may have also fired shots during the incident.
Police initially stated that both deceased individuals were shooters, but subsequent video evidence and investigation led to a revised conclusion. Detectives now believe one of the deceased men was the primary shooter who ultimately shot five people, including the other person who died. The second deceased individual is not believed to have been a shooter and may have been an unintentional target. Authorities believe the primary shooter was killed by one of the individuals he was shooting toward.
The shooting was part of a violent 24-hour period in Indianapolis that saw multiple incidents across the city. Earlier that evening, around 10:40 p.m. on September 20, a separate triple shooting occurred at Cross Creek Shopping Center in the 5600 block of Georgetown Road, approximately 4.5 miles from the mass shooting location. Three people were injured in that incident, and police arrested 21-year-old Carlos Eduardo Contreras on charges including resisting law enforcement, possession of a machine gun, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.
Additionally, officers were involved in a separate incident on September 20 at approximately 6:30 p.m. at a McDonald’s restaurant on East 38th Street. A 34-year-old man allegedly threatened employees while armed with a weapon. When officers confronted the suspect, a struggle ensued, and at least one officer returned fire. The suspect was not struck and was captured after fleeing the restaurant.
Police Chief Bailey addressed the weekend violence in a statement, expressing that his heart was heavy after the violence the Indianapolis community experienced. Bailey noted that “guns are not the solution to anything” and emphasized that bringing firearms into conflicts often carries tragic consequences.
The business near where the mass shooting occurred issued a statement extending condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Vibez Ultra Lounge indicated on social media that beloved members of the community had been lost and called for healing from the senseless tragedy.
Mayor Joe Hogsett also responded to the violence, expressing sadness and anger over the extreme violence that occurred across the city. Hogsett thanked law enforcement officials for their response to the dangerous situations and emphasized that Indianapolis is stronger than the violence that occurred.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the mass shooting. Police are continuing their investigation, viewing additional video footage and waiting to interview the individuals who were shot to determine exactly what happened. Detectives are seeking information from the public and have offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Christopher Winter at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at Christopher.Winter@indy.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
