17-year-old taken into custody for death of 13-year-old girl on Indy’s northeast side

A 17-year-old is behind bars after being suspected of killing a 13-year-old girl at an apartment complex on Indianapolis’ northeast side.

A small memorial of flowers and stuffed animals is still on the ground outside the apartment building on Bunker Hill Drive almost 3 weeks after 13-year-old Andrea Eguia was shot to death.

“Now I gotta bury my child,” said the victim’s mother, Molly Wingard, after the killing.

“I can’t imagine what this family is going through to lose a 13-year-old,” said IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson.

While the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting are still being investigated, IMPD said the case is a significant reminder that detectives work hard to hold individuals accountable for their acts, regardless of age.

IMPD apprehended a 17-year-old suspect on a preliminary charge of murder, with hopes of bringing justice to the victim’s family.

“This is accountability for them. Reckless actions took the life of this young lady and that’s what we’re about is holding violent offenders accountable,” said Thompson.

“It is truly a sad and unfortunate situation,” said Kareem Hines with New Breed of Youth.

The victim’s family claimed she stole out of their home just before the killing and went to the Georgetown Apartments, where she was discovered dead just before 4 a.m. on a Saturday in late October.

This year, Indianapolis has had 11 child homicides. I believe that we should prioritize early intervention at this time. Our babies are dying on the streets, and if we don’t intervene soon, we’ll be feeding young people into the streets,” Hines warned.

Hines’ group plans to stage a child boxing exhibition next month to promote early intervention, which can prevent violence and save lives.

“If we don’t do that early intervention as a community or parent, the streets will,” said Hines. “You have to have an outlet. I say it all the time: if kids don’t have a positive outlet, they will find a negative outlet.”

Because the suspect is 17 years old, he can file his criminal case in adult court.

In the meanwhile, the suspect will be kept without bond pending trial.