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

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - A mother in Indiana is being charged in connection to a shooting at her daughter’s high school Halloween party that left one dead and nine injured, according to authorities.

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

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 first fired shots, hitting nine people who ranged in age from 14 to 20 years old, WPTA reported.

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

Eastes allegedly acknowledged that more than 100 people were at the party, with most being under 21 years old.

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

As police investigated, they learned that Eastes' daughter sent a flyer that listed their home as the location for the party and advised those coming to bring their alcohol and marijuana, WPTA reported.

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

Crime scene photos showed alcohol throughout the home, including inside Eastes‘ daughter’s bedroom.

Both Eastes and her daughter acknowledged attendees were drinking 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 asked why Eastes did not call the police to break up the party.

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

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