Residents react to "random" shootings

KOKOMO, Ind. (WLFI) - An entire Kokomo neighborhood mourns Friday after a series of four shootings in less than 24 hours.

Police now believe the shootings were random.

A second victim from the shooting spree died Friday.  64-year-old David Gibson was shot in the head Wednesday night.
 
Police arrested 36-year-old Turama Stitts Thursday evening and charged him with shooting Gibson Wednesday and three other Kokomo residents in a span of less than two hours Thursday.

The neighborhood where the incidents occurred is just a few blocks from the police station in downtown Kokomo.

There were a number of residents out and about Friday evening near the intersection of Taylor Street and Apperson. It's the same intersection where the first victim, Argena Williams, was shot on Thursday.  Williams later died at the hospital.
    
The news of the shootings spread rapidly, via calls, text messages and even Twitter. Many people in the neighborhood knew all four victims and the suspect. For them, it's still incredibly tough to imagine.

"Nobody expected this from Kokomo," said Alexa Cannon. "It was, wow, crazy."

Now, knowing it's random, many, like Angela Lane, said she knew it could have been her. Lane, who said she lives next door to Stitts, was in fear for not only herself, but her mother who lives with her.

"I'm scared for my mother because she's a little bit elderly," said Lane. "You know what I'm saying? And it was right next door."

Alicia Glenn lives one block away from where it all happened.

"I hurt for my community," said Glenn. "Right now, my pain is for my community. Excuse my tears, but this is real. This is my family."

She said she knows all those involved, including Stitts, and is related to many of them.

"I know little man Turama," said Glenn. "I know who he is, and what took place yesterday was not the little man we know."

Kokomo police said they believe Stitts acted alone. While they have made no statements about his mental health, several people said that he had suffered from mental health problems in the past.

At last check, of the other two victims, Ricky Patterson is listed in serious condition and Miriam Mallory is listed in fair condition.