Bryce Gerlach Obituary, Death – The New Albany Police Department (NAPD) held a press conference on Sunday morning to discuss the deadly shooting that occurred near the Harvest Homecoming festival on Saturday night. According to Chief of Police Todd Bailey, the victim who lost his life in the incident was identified as 18-year-old Bryce Gerlach from Corydon.
In addition to Gerlach, two other individuals were shot during the incident: a 22-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman. Both are currently being treated at the hospital, though their names have not been released. Police believe that none of the three individuals were involved in the initial dispute that led to the shooting and were instead innocent bystanders.
Bailey explained that, at first, officers believed the shots came solely from the area behind the Scribner House, located at State and Main Streets. However, further investigation revealed that there were multiple shooters firing from various locations, including a potential shooter within the festival’s carnival area. NAPD believes at least two different groups of people were involved in the altercation, which escalated into gunfire.
Authorities have identified several persons of interest, though they cannot provide specific details since the investigation is still ongoing. According to Bailey, the individuals they are focusing on are young Black males in their teens and early twenties. These suspects remain at large and are considered dangerous due to the reckless nature of the shooting. The police plan to release their names once they are fully identified.
In light of the tragic event, festival organizers decided to cancel the remainder of the Harvest Homecoming festivities. Authorities continue to investigate, and updates to the story may follow.