Brett Scrogham IU business graduate shot dead in random attack at Indianapolis parking garage, in gun violence act that has shocked the community. No arrests.
A promising business graduate was shot and killed at a parking garage while on his way to meet his parents in downtown Indianapolis, in a random act of violence.
Brett Scrogham, 23, had graduated as a top 100 student at Indiana University’s (IU) Kelley School of Business just weeks ago, and had just started his new job as a property development analyst when he was ‘randomly’ gunned down inside a parking garage near the Indiana Convention Center just on 6p.m, Thursday night.
The business graduate had come to meet his parents to take in a baseball game was found suffering from a gunshot wound when officers arrived following reports of gunfire.
Indianapolis downtown shooting raises alarm
The young man was taken to hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead two days later on Saturday.
IMPD said one person was detained on scene before being released. The shooting marked the second homicide in downtown in less than a week, according to Fox 59.
The killing has drawn widespread attention throughout Indianapolis due to its location in a busy downtown area crowded with people attending sporting events and other activities. Community members and city officials have expressed shock and sadness over the loss of a young man whose life and future were cut tragically short.
Police do not believe Scrogham was intentionally targeted and was likely the victim of random gun violence.
Scrogham had just graduated from the IU Kelley School of Business, where he was a Top 100 student and had earned a degree in finance and real estate according to a GoFundMe page.
IU business graduate remembered
Tributes poured in following Scrogham’s death, including one from Robyn Collier, who said he rescued her dogs during a house fire.
‘We are all devastated and heartbroken for his family,’ Collier told Fox 59.
‘We just can’t even fathom what is going on in the world right now needs more Bretts in the world. We don’t need more violence,’ she added.
Scrogham’s good friend and fellow classmate James Wilson said he was a proud, successful student.
‘With him being top 100, him getting that was very impressive, and he was very happy to get that,’ Wilson told the outlet.
Crime and ‘anarchy’ in Indianapolis
Following his death, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released a statement that read: ‘Today, I am saddened to learn of the passing of a victim of last week’s random act of violence.
‘Violence anywhere in our community is unacceptable – especially when it claims the life of an innocent person simply enjoying the amenities that make our city great.’
The shooting death, comes as crime and ‘anarchy’ have continued to plague the Midwest city in recent years, Indy Star columnist Jeffrey Tompkins wrote in the wake of Scrogham’s death.
Tompkins, an urban planner and local to downtown Indianapolis, said the surge in deadly chaos has gotten so out of control that the community now has two options to choose from: anarchy or urbanism.
IMPD said they are making ‘meaningful progress’ on the investigation, but so far, no arrests have been made.
Investigators have urged anyone with information on the shooting to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.
