An Indiana man is facing felony charges after police say he accidentally shot two of his friends while recklessly handling a handgun during a late-night gathering. Investigators said the suspect later admitted he was responsible, describing his actions as “stupid” and accepting blame for the incident.
Joshua Ledford, 21, has been charged in Marion County with two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon and one count of criminal recklessness for allegedly firing a handgun inside an occupied home.
Shooting Occurred During Late-Night Gathering
According to investigators, the shooting happened shortly before 2 a.m. on July 16 at a residence in the 1000 block of Denison Street on the west side of Indianapolis.
Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) responded to reports of a shooting and found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds inside the home.
Both victims were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. Police said they were in stable condition and have since been released to recover at home.
Witnesses Said They Warned Him Repeatedly
According to court documents, witnesses told investigators that Ledford had been drinking alcohol throughout the evening and was repeatedly handling a black handgun in a reckless manner.
One witness reportedly said they had seen him behave similarly on previous occasions.
Another witness told investigators that several people inside the home repeatedly asked Ledford to stop waving the firearm around because they were concerned someone would get hurt.
According to the witness, Ledford ignored those warnings and continued handling the gun.
Gun Fired Inside Bedroom
Police said one of the victims told investigators that she and the male victim had gone into a bedroom to relax when Ledford entered carrying the handgun.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Ledford began playing with the firearm and pointed it toward both victims before it discharged.
Investigators said the bullet struck the male victim in the arm and the female victim in the armpit.
Both survived the shooting and were later treated at a nearby hospital.
Police Say Suspect Tried to Leave
After the shooting, another witness reportedly told police that Ledford attempted to get into her vehicle.
The witness refused to let him inside because she believed he was trying to leave the scene.
Police detained Ledford outside the residence a short time later.
Defendant Allegedly Accepted Responsibility
During questioning, investigators said Ledford admitted the shooting was entirely his fault.
According to police, he told detectives that the incident was “100% on me” and referred to himself as “a complete f—ing idiot.”
He also allegedly admitted he had been “being stupid with the gun” and explained that he sometimes plays with the firearm’s magazine when he has been drinking.
Investigators said Ledford further acknowledged he had been recklessly handling the handgun inside the house but insisted he never intended to shoot anyone.
Police Call Incident Preventable
Following the incident, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers emphasized that the shooting could have been avoided.
Police said careless firearm handling places everyone nearby at risk and noted that, although both victims survived, the incident could easily have resulted in fatalities.
Authorities urged gun owners to handle firearms responsibly and never treat them as toys.
Released on Home Confinement
Court records show Ledford appeared in court on Tuesday following his arrest.
He later posted an $8,000 bond and was released from custody under home confinement while his criminal case continues through the Marion County court system.
