Parker
The driver in a 2023 drive-by shooting received a sentence of three years in the Department of Correctional Services with 963 days of suspended probation.
Alexander Parker, 21, appeared in person in Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 Wednesday morning for his sentencing hearing. As he already served 132 days, the remaining 963 days are suspended to probation in Bartholomew County.
Parker entered into a plea bargain agreement in October of 2023, agreeing to plead guilty to one Level 5 felony of assisting a criminal. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss four Level 3 felony counts of aggravated battery. The state also agreed to dismiss a criminal misdemeanor cause from May of 2023 of dealing in marijuana.
He served 132 days in 2023, according to court documents. His sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 27, 2024, but multiple motions for continuance have been filed. Parker said he took advantage of that delay to take steps to better himself.
On May 23, 2023, Parker pulled up next to the basketball court behind the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena. Edmarius Oats, then 18, rolled down a window and fired several shots into the crowd, according to court records.
Four victims were identified as then-18-year-old Gavin Hardin, then-23-year-old Tyler Hamm and two juveniles, who were then 16 and 17 years old. Three of the four victims were flown by Lifeline helicopter to Indianapolis hospitals.
All victims survived the shooting and have recovered.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Oats was jealous of Hardin regarding a girl, which led to the drive-by shooting. Oats was arrested in his neighborhood following a multi-hour long standoff at his home.
Parker now resides in Greenwood and has been working at a Wendy’s since February. He expressed regret to the victims in his testimony, saying he wants to learn from his mistake and prevent others from making that mistake.
“That’s not who I’m meant to be,” Parker said in his testimony.
In the time between hearings, Parker attended therapy focusing on decision-making and responsibilities and has looked at potential career opportunities like barbering, Edwards told Worton.
Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay told Worton Parker has kept in communication with her office. She said there is always a concern that people won’t do what they are asked or communicate.
“Mr. Parker has done everything the state has asked of him,” Holden-Kay said.
Worton said the only aggravator in the case was deliquency from when he was a juvenile. Parker accepted to serve probation in Bartholomew County though he now resides in Johnson County.
Sentencing will not take place until after the resolution of Oats’ case, according to court documents. Oats, now 21, pleaded guilty in August to four counts of Level 3 felony aggravated battery when the assault posed a substantial risk of death.
He was initially also charged with attempted murder, but that was dropped as part of a plea bargain agreement. He received a 38-year prison sentence following witness testimony at his sentencing hearing.
