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Muncie overnight shooting kills one, wounds more than a dozen

A Muncie man was formally charged Friday, Aug. 4, in connection with the weekend shooting that left one person dead and 17 others wounded in the central Indiana city.
A Muncie man was formally charged Friday, Aug. 4, in connection with the weekend shooting that left one person dead and 17 others wounded in the central Indiana city.

Police in Muncie are investigating a shooting that killed one man and wounded more than a dozen people.

Just after 1:00 AM on Sunday morning, county dispatchers received calls about gunfire on the city’s east side.  Multiple law enforcement agencies – including officers from neighboring towns like Eaton- responded to a gathering at South Hackley and East Willard streets.

According to Muncie Police Department and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, 19 people were sent to the hospital for treatment.  Some with critical injuries were sent to other hospitals.

The Delaware County coroner’s office says 30-year-old Joseph Bonner III was killed.

The  Muncie Homecoming Festival was celebrating events this weekend to bring Muncie natives back home to celebrate the area.  Organizers say the party where the shooting happened was not an official event for Muncie Homecoming.

In a statement, Muncie Homecoming Festival says, “We are praying for the families of the young man who passed away as well as the families who have relatives who were injured and remain hospitalized.  This tragedy will not stop the hard work and dedication of those who endeavor to make Muncie a peaceful and loving community. Acts of violence will not be tolerated here and we are united and moving forward in a positive manner even in grief.”

Read More:  How Indiana’s permitless carry law could impact gun violence

Police have not said if there were multiple shooters involved and have not released a motive for the shooting.

In a press release, the department writes, “We are heartbroken to learn of this terrible incident, and our deepest condolences go to the families of the young man who was killed and everyone who was injured.”

The Muncie Police Department is asking witnesses and others to contact the detective division with information at 765-747-4867.

Sara Wittmeyer is the News Bureau Chief for WFIU and WTIU. Sara has more than two decades of journalism experience. She led the creation of the converged WFIU/WTIU Newsroom in 2010 and previously served with KBIA at the University of Missouri, WNKU at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY, and at WCPO News in Cincinnati.