‘I pulled the trigger’: Teenager charged as adult after Stout Field Park shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 17-year-old has been charged as an adult after a shooting at a west side park left a man injured.

Michael Taylor is accused of opening fire at Stout Field Park in the 3800 block of West Bradbury Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 30, around 8:14 p.m.

According to court documents, a confrontation broke out at the park over a prior dispute over a girl.

Witnesses told police Taylor pulled out a gun during the altercation, pointed it at one person’s face and demanded a backpack.

Court documents say he tried to fire the weapon twice. It clicked both times before eventually shooting the victim, who was taken to a nearby hospital.

Taylor fled the scene but was found at a nearby address. When taken into custody, he reportedly told officers without being asked that the gun was in a detached garage. Court documents say while riding in a police car, he also told an officer, “I pulled the trigger.”

A search warrant turned up a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber handgun, the stolen backpack, which contained the victim’s wallet, and a satchel bag. Taylor was wearing a black ski mask when he was arrested.

Taylor told investigators the gun was registered and his mother had bought it for him as a birthday gift.

In recorded statements cited in the affidavit, Taylor also said “they pulled up and started punching” him and that he feared for his life.

He faces the following charges:

• Robbery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 2 felony)
• Aggravated battery (Level 3 felony)
• Armed robbery (Level 3 felony)
• Two counts of pointing a firearm at another (Level 6 felony)
• Dangerous possession of a firearm by a child (Misdemeanor)
• Unlawful carrying of a handgun (Misdemeanor)

Taylor’s next court date is scheduled for Sept. 15.

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