Evansville police have released more detail about the shooting that killed 17-year-old James Brown on Sunday night, and both the police department and Mayor Stephanie Terry have responded to the violence.
According to the probable cause affidavit for Keaton Howard, 18, Brown was shot on Madison Avenue near Bedford while a group of teens and adults were crossing the street from a birthday gathering. Police say the shooting was part of an ongoing feud between two local gangs, and that there had been altercations and threats in the days before, including at the Fall Festival. The charges against Howard are allegations and have not been proven in court.
Police say surveillance video showed a Nissan Altima in the area and two people in hoodies getting out, later seen in an alley making a shooting motion before running back to the car. Investigators say they tracked the car and, after a rap video was posted online Wednesday showing a person in similar clothing, identified Howard. Howard was previously reported taken into custody in Kentucky.
Sgt. Anthony Aussieker said cameras played a major role in the identification, and that investigators are still reviewing cell phone data and working to identify the second person seen on the video. Police are asking for tips, including anonymous reports through WeTip, a Facebook message to the department, or central dispatch.
In a statement, Mayor Terry said one death, especially of a young person, is one too many, and pointed residents to the next Safer Evansville town hall on Oct. 29. She said the city also plans to share more soon about a new community-based approach to addressing crime.
