Mother charged in shooting at school Halloween party that left one teenager dead, nine injured

FORT WAYNE, Indiana (WPTA/Gray News ) – An Indiana mother has been charged in connection with a shooting at a school Halloween party that left one person dead and nine others injured.

On Oct. 10, police were called to the home of Joanna Easts, 42, after several callers reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running in all directions.

Indiana mother charged in daughter's high school shooting... — An Indiana mother has been charged in connection with a shooting at a school Halloween party that left her daughter dead and nine others injured, authorities said.(Source: Fort Wayne Police Department)

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

Officials identified the deceased as 17-year-old Willie Wenzel Ivey III.

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

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

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

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

During the investigation, police learned that Easts’ daughter had sent out a flyer advertising their home as the location of the party and advising those who attended to bring alcohol and marijuana. This is reported by the WPTA.

Social media posts also showed minors dancing and drinking at the home in the run-up to the shooting.

Photos from the crime scene showed alcohol throughout the house, including in Easts’ daughter’s bedroom.

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

The 42-year-old mother is accused of neglecting a dependent, contributing to the commission of crimes against a minor and distributing alcohol to a minor.

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

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

The first hearing in Estes’ case is scheduled for Wednesday.