Reported shooting was hoax

Indiana State police have determined that an Indianapolis man who reported he was shot by a hitchhiker near the Marion-Johnson county line fabricated the story. \nDetectives from the Indianapolis State Police Post followed up on the investigation and determined the report to be a hoax, according to a State Police press release.\nAfter officers interviewed the man, he acknowledged that the entire incident was fabricated, the release said. Detectives are still following up on the investigation and intend to present their findings to the Johnson and Marion county prosecutor’s offices later in the week for consideration of criminal false reporting charges.\nAdditionally, police are looking for a black handgun that has been discarded in the area. Police urge anyone who finds the weapon to report it to the Indiana State Police.\nQuestions regarding this incident should be directed to State Police Sgt. Ray Poole at (317) 694-7229.