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17-Year-Old Shot And Killed In Indy Parking Garage

Last updated on Monday, July 22, 2013

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Just as a massive downtown security plan was close to wrapping up early Sunday morning, police say a 17-year-old was shot and killed inside a hotel parking garage.

The shooting death marked a violent end to what police have called a quiet weekend downtown.

Indianapolis Metro Police officers said the 17-year-old Darnell Franklin, was shot in the back in the Marriott parking garage downtown, next to the Courtyard. He was taken to Wishard Hospital in critical condition, where he died a short time later.

But, after the initial anger, reaction and investigation, police discovered this shooting was accidental.

According to police, Franklin and five friends and family members had just arrived downtown around 3 am to meet some female friends. That's when one of the passengers reached down to pick up a gun off the floorboard of their car with his finger on the trigger. The gun went off-- accidentally shooting Franklin in the back.

But, the fact that half of the group was just 17 and out way past the city's 1am curfew is troubling to police.

The passenger who pulled the trigger is also a juvenile. He's been arrested and charged with reckless homicide and carrying a handgun without a license.

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