Man charged in shooting near federal courthouse in Downtown Indianapolis

A man accused of firing shots in front of the Birch Bayh Federal Courthouse on Thursday morning was charged Friday on multiple counts, including intent to deal drugs and illegally possessing a gun.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers heard shots fired near the Downtown courthouse about 8:20 a.m. Thursday and saw people running from the area. Officers were told the gunman had headed north, and they arrested Marcus Fennell, 23, Indianapolis, shortly afterward near the Indiana War Memorial.

Fennell had a loaded 9 mm handgun in his pants pocket as well as 110 packages of marijuana, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Police found two 9 mm shell casings in the area where the shots were fired.

Because Fennell had a 2012 conviction for robbery, it is illegal for him to have a firearm. He also was charged with discharging a weapon in the commission of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

If convicted on all counts, Fennell faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

IMPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Protective Service are investigating the case.

Call Star reporter Shari Rudavsky at (317) 444-6354. Follow her on Twitter.