Indianapolis teen sentenced in shooting outside Pacers Athletic Center

A teen who opened fire outside the Pacers Athletic Center in Westfield last year has been sentenced.

Elijah Earl, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced Thursday to nearly two years in prison, followed by a year of probation after pleading guilty to three counts of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.

Hamilton County Superior Court Judge Jonathan M. Brown leveled the stiffest sentencing at 910 days in prison, but gave him credit for time served and suspended 258 days, leaving Earl less than a year remaining on his time behind bars, according to online court records.

The shooting happened in April 2023 outside the Pacers Athletic Center at Grand Park. As part of the deal, Earl's attempted murder charges, criminal mischief charges, unlawful carrying of a handgun and dangerous possession of a firearm charges were dismissed.

According to Westfield police, the shooting unfolded about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 after an altercation erupted following a basketball game inside the facility at 200 E 186th St. Police said the teen followed a coach outside the building toward their vehicle and was yelling. The teen then fired three rounds toward the coach’s vehicle as the coach left the lot. Four other cars were damaged by gunfire. No one was injured in the shooting.

Contact Jade Jackson at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Teen sentenced to two years for shooting outside Pacers Athletic Center