Foust: “Mears Allergic to Accountability” During Violent Crime Wave
Indianapolis, IN — Marion County Prosecutor candidate Philip Foust issued the following statement regarding a string of violent incidents in Marion County and central Indiana:
“Indianapolis has a crisis of public safety and accountability. Marion County and central Indiana experienced so much violence and crime this week that it is hard for citizens to keep up. But we must resist the temptation to tune out. It’s particularly alarming to note many of these crimes involved teenagers. Multiple families are grieving and survivors are starting their recoveries:
Saturday, May 23 (South Side): Ring video captured five suspects firing dozens of shots into a home on Hoop Road with a family of five inside.
Sunday, May 24 (Downtown Indianapolis): 33-year-old Gregory Montrez Anderson fatally shot and two others injured in the 100 block of S. Meridian Street.
Sunday, May 24 (Far East Side): 29-year-old Za Sean Allen Davis fatally shot in the 1700 block of James Run Way during a domestic disturbance.
Sunday, May 24 (Northwest Side): 16-year-old Jamell Williams fatally shot in the 5700 block of Renn Lane.
Monday, May 25 (Fishers IHOP): Two Indianapolis teens allegedly committed armed carjacking of a DoorDash driver.
Tuesday, May 26 (Carmel GetGo): Marion County repeat offender allegedly committed violent carjacking, injuring a father and causing multiple crashes.
Thursday, May 28 (Downtown): Man critically injured in shooting in the 100 block of S. Capitol Avenue parking garage.
Thursday, May 28 (Multiple locations): Three men and one boy injured in separate non-fatal shootings across the city.
Thursday, May 28 (Near East Side): 65-year-old Patricia Wieber fatally shot in the first block of N. Rural Street; 75-year-old Ronald Cross suspect killer arrested following police chase and being shot by police.
In addition to these incidents, police responded to multiple other crimes that did not result in major media coverage. This level of crime and violence is not normal. This is not acceptable. But it is the direct result of failed leadership in Marion County. As leaders and law enforcement throughout central Indiana will tell you, when Marion County is soft on crime, families across the region pay the price.
In a week when death and violence plagued Marion County and central Indiana, Ryan Mears demonstrated he is allergic to accountability:
whether for himself or for criminals. Rather than speak out regarding the obvious effects of the revolving door of crime, he attempted to lecture Carmel’s mayor and label her ‘disingenuous’ for recognizing Marion County has a problem. That problem is illustrated by a Marion County repeat offender with a 14-page rap sheet (arrested ~50 times since 2019) who was back on the streets carjacking innocent people, seriously injuring one of them, and crashing into a gas station, another vehicle, and then a house. Mears attempted to deflect blame to other counties. However, the vast majority of the defendant’s cases and convictions were right here in Marion County.
Enough excuses. Marion County needs a prosecutor who won’t be distracted by the latest political trends and is instead focused on the core mission: Enforce the law. Seek justice for victims. Protect the public.
Giving criminals chance after chance after chance with no consequences isn't compassion. Real compassion means protecting innocent people from becoming victims in the first place. Real justice means holding criminals accountable BEFORE their crimes escalate.
As prosecutor, I will fight to stop the revolving door and restore confidence in the Marion County justice system.”
All criminal charges are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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