Indianapolis, Ind.—
An aspiring standup comic is on the run from police after they say he opened fire inside a sports bar. Three people were hurt in the shooting inside Yeakle's Sports Bar in Marion just after 2:00 a.m. Saturday.Though the victims have all been treated and released from the hospital, police are still searching for the shooting suspect, 44 year old Rodney Carter. Carter has been trying to make a name for himself as a standup comic since 2002. He goes by the stage name "Dirty Red," and has several online profiles promoting his work. Now police hope someone will recognize him and turn him in.
When Carter entered Yeakle's Sports Bar Friday night, he wasn't performing or telling jokes. By the time he left, people certainly weren't laughing.
"The majority of the patrons got down on the floor to prevent being harmed," said Detective Ben Caudell with the Marion Police Department.
Witnesses told police that Carter had been drinking at the bar when he grew upset, walked up to another man and asked him to repeat something he'd said.
"However we've yet to determine whether that was an argument or just a verbal misunderstanding," Caudell said.
Regardless of the nature of the conversation, police say Carter didn't waste much time before pulling out a gun and firing several shots at the man's legs. In addition to striking the man, some of the bullets also struck two women who were with him. The three victims were all taken to the hospital for minor injuries and released.
Carter took off on foot and hasn't been seen since, even by his immediate family.
"Based on the interviews with family members, they've indicated that there has never been any incident like this involving Mr. Carter," Caudell said.
"This is out of character for him," said Larry Emmons, a friend of Rodney Carter's for more than 20 years.
Emmons says his friend was passionate about what he did and appeared to be a family man. Now he just hopes the standup comic will stand up and take responsibility for his actions.
"If he did this, whatever the situation might be, I hope he can come forward and step up to the plate and do the right thing," Emmons said.
If you have any information regarding Rodney Carter's whereabouts please call the Marion Police Department.
