Man arrested in shooting that injured 2 at VASA Fitness on Indy's west side

A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection a shooting at a busy Indianapolis gym last week that left two people hurt and caused chaos.

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 at VASA Fitness on the city's west side.

Officers were first called to the gym on reports of an active shooter, which turned out to be inaccurate. Preliminary information shows some sort of disturbance took place at the gym before the shooting took place, IMPD officer Samone Burris said.

One man and one teenage male were found with gunshot wounds at the scene. They were awake and breathing when transported to a hospital, police said.

Previous coverage: 'Mass chaos': 2 shot, including teen, after suspect opens fire inside Indianapolis gym

Steve Valdez-Rivera was arrested in the shooting after he was found on the city’s north side Monday, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Valdez-Rivera is facing preliminary charges of aggravated battery, battery with a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make a final charging decision.

The VASA Fitness is on West 38th Street, about 9 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.

Hundreds of people were inside the gym when gunfire broke out. Police described the scene as mass chaos. IMPD officer Samone Burris said the shooting suspect entered the gym using its front door, opened fire and then fled the business using the same front door.

The gym is in a busy commercial area near Target and other restaurants.

“It was horrible,” said Celia Navarro, a 32-year-old who said she was in the sauna with her sister when she heard the gunshots. “The gym was packed, and it was an absolute mess.” 

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis VASA Fitness shooting: Man, 20, arrested, police say