COLUMBUS, Ind. -- One person is dead and another has been arrested after a reported shooting near a nightclub in Columbus late last month.
According to a news release from the Columbus Police Department, officers responded to a report of gunfire near a nightclub in the 2200 block of State Street at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 27.
When officers arrived, the release said they spoke with several individuals who indicated that an argument led to a man, later identified as 43-year-old Pedro Luis Rivera Ayala, firing a gun. Police said that one of the bullets that was reportedly shot during the incident hit 32-year-old Bradford Alexander Kendrick Brooks, a person who was nearby.
The release said that Brooks was driven to a hospital near Indianapolis after the shooting. Brooks was pronounced dead on Saturday. Investigators said Brooks was an innocent bystander.
"It’s unfortunate and our thoughts and prayers go to Mr. Kendrick Brooks and his family," said Lt. Alyson Eichel with CPD. "Columbus is generally a safe community and we have zero tolerance for any kind of behavior like that."
The Columbus Police Department said this fatal shooting marks the city's first homicide of the year.
"Columbus averages one homicide a year and this is our first homicide this year," Eichel said. "It’s still a very safe community for people to live. We still encourage people to come down here to visit and live here."
As police continue to investigate this incident, Eichel said nothing should ever escalate to the point of gunfire.
"When there is an argument happening, hopefully cooler heads prevail," she said. "Just walk away. If things are starting to get out of hand, walk away, contact law enforcement but don’t take things into your own hands where it could escalate potentially."
Officials said that Rivera Ayala was arrested on Oct. 28 and has been officially charged with:
- One count of aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony
- One count of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, a Level 6 felony
- One count of pointing a firearm at another, a Level 6 felony
Officials said that detectives, along with the Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office, are "actively working to amend the charges to include homicide."
Rivera Ayala is currently in the Bartholomew County Jail. An initial hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2.