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update: On February 14, 2024, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office charged Steve Valdez Rivera, 20, with aggravated assault and possession of a deadly weapon in connection with the VASA Fitness shooting.
A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with a shooting at a busy Indianapolis gym last week that injured two people and caused chaos.
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. on February 6 at VASA Fitness on the city’s west side.
Officers were first called to the gym on reports of a gunman, but that information turned out to be inaccurate. Preliminary information indicates there was some sort of disturbance at the gym before the shooting occurred, IMPD Officer Samone Bliss said.
A man and a male teenager were found at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said the two were awake and breathing when taken to the hospital.
Previous coverage: ‘Chaos’: Two people, including a teenager, shot after suspect opens fire inside Indianapolis gym
Steve Valdez Rivera was found Monday on the city’s north side and arrested in connection with the shooting, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Valdez-Rivera faces preliminary charges of aggravated assault, possession of a deadly weapon and recklessness. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final decision on charges.
VASA Fitness is located on West 38th Street, approximately 9 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
Hundreds of people were inside the gym when the shooting occurred. Police described the scene as chaotic. IMPD Officer Samone Bliss said the shooting suspect entered the gym through the front door, opened fire and fled the store through the same front door.
The gym is located in a busy commercial area near Target and other restaurants.
“It was terrible,” said Celia Navarro, 32, who was in the sauna with her sister when she heard the gunshots. She said: “The gym was packed and it was really chaotic.”
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
