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Mother charged in high school Halloween party shooting that left one teenager dead and nine injured
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Mother charged in high school Halloween party shooting that left one teenager dead and nine injured

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News ) – An Indiana mother is facing charges in connection with a shooting at her daughter’s high school Halloween party that left one dead and nine injured, authorities say.

On Oct. 10, police were called to a home owned by 42-year-old Joanna Eastes after multiple callers reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running in all directions.

An Indiana mother faces charges in connection with a shooting at her daughter's high school…
An Indiana mother is facing charges in connection with a shooting at her daughter’s high school Halloween party that left one dead and nine injured, authorities say.(Source: Fort Wayne Police Department)

When police arrived, they found one person dead and several others who had been shot.

Officials identified the deceased as 17-year-old Willie Venzell Ivy III.

During the investigation, it was determined that Ivy was the one who fired the first shots, hitting nine people between the ages of 14 and 20, WPTA reported.

Authorities said the party was hosted for Easte’s daughter’s best friend, but Easte’s daughter told police she did not know her best friend’s full name.

Eastes allegedly admitted that more than 100 people were at the party, most of whom were under 21.

However, the mother-daughter duo told police they were allegedly in their rooms at the time of the shooting.

As police investigated, they learned that the Eastes’ daughter had sent out a flyer listing their home as the location for the party and advising attendees to bring alcohol and marijuana. WPTA reported.

Social media posts also showed juveniles dancing and drinking in the home before the shooting.

Crime scene photos showed alcohol throughout the house, including Eastes’ daughter’s bedroom.

Both Eastes and her daughter admitted that attendees consumed alcohol during the party, but denied any drug use.

The 42-year-old mother is charged with neglect of a dependent, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Detectives questioned why Eastes didn’t call the police to break up the party.

“What was I supposed to do,” Eastes allegedly asked in response.

Eastes is scheduled for an initial hearing in the case on Wednesday.