Indianapolis Program Treats Gun Violence as Public Health

Hospital-based intervention programs aim to interrupt cycles of shootings by providing therapy and mentorship to victims.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Violence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized window silhouette in deep navy against a cream background, representing clinical intervention. — Indianapolis launched a hospital-based program in 2024 providing bedside therapy and mentorship to gunshot victims to interrupt cycles of retaliatory violence. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local hospitals expand programs that provide bedside support for victims of gun violence?

The Indianapolis hospital-based violence intervention program has been providing bedside therapy to gunshot victims since its 2024 launch. The initiative seeks to stop cycles of retaliatory violence by treating trauma in a clinical setting.

Why it matters

By engaging victims of gun violence in the hospital, the program attempts to address the root physical and mental trauma that often fuels future cycles of retaliatory violence. Framing gun violence as a public health crisis allows officials to provide resources and mentorship to those most at risk.

Since 2024, the program has triaged at least 125 victims and hosted 745 therapy sessions. Criminal homicides in Indianapolis dropped by approximately 29% between September 2025 and September 2026.

The players

Nate Boggs

He is a program participant who was shot nine times at age 20 and later graduated from HVAC school through the intervention initiative.

Indy Peace Fellowship

This program mentors victims and perpetrators of gun violence, specifically focusing on Black men between the ages of 18 and 35.

IU Health Methodist Hospital

This facility serves as a primary site for the city's bedside violence intervention program.

Riley Children's Hospital

This medical center recently became an expansion site for the city-wide violence intervention program.

The details

Violence prevention workers meet victims directly in hospital rooms to offer immediate therapy and link them to essential services. Through the Indy Peace Fellowship, life coaches provide ongoing mentorship for Black men aged 18 to 35, including career-focused support like HVAC training.

The hospital intervention program launched in Indianapolis in 2024.
Nate Boggs was shot nine times on January 2, 2025.
Criminal homicide reduction data covers the period from September 2025 to September 2026.

Legal Context

The Indianapolis initiative follows the pattern set by the public health approach to violence prevention by treating trauma as a driver of crime. This reflects a broader trend of shifting from purely punitive measures to community-based intervention strategies.

These hospital-based programs aim to increase community safety by lowering the likelihood of retaliatory shootings. Residents benefit from decreased city-wide homicide rates as the intervention model scales to reach more victims.

The takeaway

Interrupting cycles of violence requires addressing the immediate physical and psychological needs of victims as they recover from trauma. Success stories like those seen in Indianapolis underscore the importance of connecting survivors with long-term mentorship and career training.