Indianapolis officials say changes are underway to the city’s violence interruption strategy following a deadly Fourth of July weekend downtown that left two people dead and several others injured.

Tony Lopez, director of the Office of Public Health and Safety’s (OPHS) violence interrupters program, said while the team would not change their actions leading up to the incident, they acknowledge the need to adjust going forward.

“In terms of what we did that weekend, we wouldn’t have done anything differently,” Lopez said in an interview. “But we do plan to make changes to better address what we’re seeing.”

Lopez noted that members of the violence interrupter team were active downtown prior to the shooting, engaging with youth and attempting to de-escalate potential conflicts. However, he acknowledged that the violence still occurred — and that public confidence in the program has been shaken.

“We understand that perception becomes reality,” Lopez said. “If people don’t see what we’re doing, or if violence happens anyway, then the perception is that we’re not doing enough. So we have to do a better job showing the work and making sure it’s having an impact.”

Going forward, Lopez said the city will take a more targeted approach, focusing on individuals under 25 years old who are known to carry firearms or are at high risk for gun violence. He called the shift “surgical” — moving from broad-based engagement to more specific, data-informed interventions.

The violence interrupters program is part of a public health-focused strategy funded through the Office of Public Health and Safety. Interrupters are civilians, often with lived experience in violence or incarceration, who work to mediate disputes and prevent retaliation. They are not law enforcement officers and do not carry weapons.

The program is funded at $4.2 million for 2024 and has responded to more than 200 incidents this year, according to OPHS.

The shootings occurred early on July 5 in the heart of downtown’s entertainment district. IMPD recovered multiple firearms and detained several individuals, though no charges have been announced yet.

City officials say they are evaluating safety protocols for large public gatherings and expect to outline additional steps in the coming weeks.

You can hear the interview with Lopez in the audio above.  It runs for 12 minutes.