Late Saturday night, a mass shooting erupted in downtown Indianapolis, resulting in seven minors being hospitalized with gunshot wounds, according to police reports. The victims, aged between 12 and 17 years old, sustained injuries outside the Circle Centre Mall shortly after 11 p.m. local time.

Authorities have not made any arrests yet, but the Indianapolis Metro Police Department revealed that multiple weapons were likely used in the shooting. Images from the scene were shared by CBS affiliate WTTV.

Deputy Police Chief Tanya Terry provided preliminary details about the incident during a briefing early Sunday morning. According to a police report filed after the incident, four boys and three girls were identified as the victims. At the time of the briefing, all the victims were reported to be in stable condition.

The incident unfolded when patrol officers in the downtown area responded to the sound of gunshots. They discovered six minors from a larger group of children with gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services swiftly transported all the injured victims to hospitals for treatment. One victim was initially in critical condition but has since been updated to stable. The other five victims were in stable condition when they were taken to the hospital.

Additionally, another victim arrived at a different hospital on their own, seeking treatment for a gunshot wound also sustained during the downtown incident. This person's condition was listed as stable.

The mass shooting exacerbates a concerning trend of escalating gun violence in Indianapolis. Recent statistics reveal an 85% increase in homicides, predominantly involving firearms, over the past fifteen years, according to a report by the Indianapolis Star.

Deputy Police Chief Terry addressed the issue during the Sunday briefing, expressing concern over young people resorting to firearms to resolve conflicts. The department has already devoted resources to preemptive measures aimed at addressing these incidents involving juvenile crowds. They intend to continue these efforts to prevent future crimes of this nature.

Terry emphasized the need for the involvement of parents, urging them to be aware of their children's activities, particularly during late hours. The shooting occurred at 11:30 p.m. on the eve of Easter Sunday, highlighting the urgency for parental responsibility.

As the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, the Indianapolis Police have urged anyone with information to contact Detective Albert Teaters at the department's homicide office.