An illegal street takeover in Indiana drew more than 500 cars, some doing dangerous stunts while people hung out of windows, and ended with gunfire as police tried to disperse the gathering.
Shocking footage shows the chaos unfolding in Indianapolis, where such takeovers are on a worrying rise. Unsanctioned events include cars blocking roads and performing tricks, while videos are often posted online.
Last weekend's meet in Indianapolis drew cars from five states and video shows the huge crowd in a parking lot watching the stunts.
Police tried to break up the gathering, but it led to a one-car chase, during which officers shot and two officers were injured.
“It's undesirable to the community and it's a very dangerous activity,” Indianapolis Northwest District Police Chief Lorenzo Lewis said of the increase in takeovers.
Police in Indiana were called in to help stop a massive illegal takeover that attracted 500 cars from five states
Video showed drivers performing dangerous stunts as people hung out of windows
Videos released by police of the incident showed the sheer size and dangerous stunts performed by drivers – often as people hung out of windows or women twerked the way cars did donuts.
Smoke could be seen billowing around the tires like cars shouting along the road.
Police said drivers came from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont for the event. Officers initially turned drivers away from Research Drive, but motorists used social media to set up new locations Saturday through Sunday, police said.
Around midnight, the situation escalated as police worked to clear a parking lot in the 2800 block of Lafayette Road, where several vehicles were driving dangerously. Fox 59 reports.
A police officer said he heard “several” gunshots upon arrival.
Police identified a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Sebastian Jimenez, who they said failed to stop. As police gave chase, Jimenez fled into a dead-end parking lot. There he made a U-turn and rammed a police car head-on.
Sebastian Jimenez, 23, was charged with a host of reckless driving counts after leading police on a chase
Two police officers confronted the car, with one officer firing his weapon, although no one was injured in the shooting.
Jimenez then raced south at a high rate of speed before crashing into another vehicle at an intersection.
He and his female passenger were treated for minor injuries in a crash along with two officers.
The driver has now been charged with battery with a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness and reckless driving.
The officer who fired the weapon has been placed on administrative leave, as is customary, pending an investigation into the circumstances.
Several other drivers were issued violations and other vehicles were towed, but now criminal arrests were made.
'They happen illegally. They have no permits. They do not have permission to organize those events. They don't have the proper licenses or permits to do that. They illegally block traffic and take over private property that they do not have permission to use.”
Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder also issued a statement.
“Indianapolis residents and visitors are waking up to another violent attack on police,” he said.
“We are grateful that these injured officers were treated and released. The attacks on the women and men who serve our capital in police uniform are increasing in number and severity.
'Officers face deadly threats from cars, knives, guns and other improvised weapons.
“We call on the Marion County Prosecutor to speak out publicly, condemn such attacks and demonstrate his commitment to holding these violent offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“Residents are coming to terms with the fact that their community and law enforcement are under attack by perpetrators who are unafraid of the accountability of Marion County's criminal justice system.”
IMPD has been called to multiple takeovers this year and has made more than 40 arrests and seized 80 stolen vehicles to date.
'You will be arrested. They need to know that. They will be held accountable,” Lewis said.