The Indiana State Police in the Indianapolis District have had an increase of interstate shooting investigations in 2021. So far this year troopers have investigated 30 incidents that involve gunfire on Indianapolis area interstates. The majority of these investigations determined road rage initiated the incident that led to gunfire.

Troopers are asking for the public’s help to immediately report any instance of road rage by calling 911. Callers should attempt to gather as much identifying information about the vehicles involved, even if a license plate number can not be obtained.  

Drivers are strongly discouraged from engaging in any type of road rage, if you find yourself a target of a road rage incident the following tips could help keep you safe.

• Remain calm, agitation or counter aggressive maneuvers can escalate the situation
• Drive away from the aggressor by using a turn signal to change lanes, allowing the aggressor to pass, exit the highway, stop in a well-lit populated area
• If stopped in traffic or in an area where you must stop due to a stop sign or stop light ensure all of your car doors are locked and leave yourself a path of escape
• Immediately report the incident to police by calling 911 (Indiana Hands Free Law allows you to use a cell phone while driving to report an emergency to 911)

Last week, Troopers arrested Martez Jolly, 30, of Kansas City Missouri for criminal recklessness on I-70 eastbound near Post Road. Jolly, with juveniles present in his vehicle, allegedly fired at least one shot at another vehicle on I-70 which struck the dashboard of the victim’s car. He was located a short time later on I-70 in Hancock County and taken into custody. There were no reported injuries as a result of this incident and this investigation is ongoing.

Of the intestate shootings this year, one was a homicide. On April 2 troopers arrested Antonio King, 28, on the charge of murder for his alleged role in a March 31, 2021 shooting on I-65 near Lafayette Road.

In 2018 the state police investigated nine interstate shootings in the Indianapolis area, and nine again in 2019. Indiana State Police Crime Analyst and Detectives believe most of the 2018 / 2019 shootings were targeted among known parties to one another. During 2020 troopers investigated 23 intestate shootings in the Indianapolis area, of which the majority are believed to have started as road rage incidents, which is a trend that continues to increase in 2021.

A crime analyst assigned full time to Indiana State Police Indianapolis District Investigations provides real time data to investigators, commanders and troopers in the field. This data is used as a proactive measure to target specific areas with increased patrols. Recklessly discharging a firearm is not only extremely dangerous, it is illegal. The Indiana State Police diligently investigates each of these incidents with urgency, and continues to work with county prosecutors to ensure criminal charges are filed when warranted. 

The Indiana State Police would like to remind drivers to stay vigilant while driving, avoid confrontation with aggressive drivers and immediately report road rage to 911.