Muncie police announce second arrest in July deadly party shooting

The Muncie Police Department have announced a second arrest in a deadly shooting at a late July party that killed one person and injured 18.

According to a statement, 29-year-old Justin Bonner was arrested and preliminarily charged with two felonies – criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.  Bonner also had active warrants.

The shooting killed 30-year-old Joseph Bonner.  In an obituary posted online, Justin Bonner is listed as Joseph’s brother.

In a statement, Muncie police have not commented on the family connection.  The department has also not given Bonner’s connection to the previously arrested John Vance.  The department continues to say the investigation into the party at Hackley and Willard is ongoing.

Preliminary charges for Bonner and formal charges for Vance do not include responsibility for Joseph Bonner’s death.  At an early August press conference, Deputy Chief Melissa Criswell said, “The investigation into his death and the events of July 30 are still rapidly evolving and ongoing.”

Hundreds of people – with estimates of between 500 to 1,000 – were at the late July gathering when shots rang out in the 1:00 AM hour. Police say some of the gunshot victims were teenagers. Because of the number of people, Muncie police asked for help and said 8-10 agencies responded.

Sloan said first responders were “rushing people to the hospital in our police cars, because we didn’t have time to wait.”

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.