ANDERSON, Ind. — A quiet Anderson neighborhood was shaken early Sunday when 17-year-old Tianna Harris was shot inside her own home by her mother in what police are calling a tragic, possibly accidental shooting. Authorities responded around 5 a.m. to a residence on West 38th Street after receiving a report of gunfire in the house.
When officers arrived, they found Tianna suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders rendered aid at the scene before she was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite those efforts, she later died from her injuries. The coroner’s office identified her as the teen victim.
Police say preliminary information suggests that Tianna had left the home during the night and returned in the early morning hours. Her mother, inside the house at the time, was reportedly startled by her arrival. Investigators believe the shot may have been fired in a moment of confusion rather than deliberate intent.
Witnesses in the home told officers they heard the gunshot but did not recall any argument or disturbance before the sound. There were no reports of a struggle or yelling before the shot rang out, and those inside were awakened by the sound of the firearm.
Tianna’s mother was taken into police custody and remains there as the investigation continues. The Madison County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case to decide whether any charges will be filed, though early comments from the prosecutor suggest there is no clear evidence of malicious intent at this stage.
Friends and neighbors say the incident has left the community stunned. Many describe Tianna as a typical teen whose life was full of promise, making her sudden death all the more heartbreaking for those who knew her. Local residents have expressed sympathy for the family while also struggling to understand how such a tragic mistake could happen.
Authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the shooting. Police investigators with the Anderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are conducting interviews and examining physical evidence as part of the ongoing review. A final determination on charges and circumstances is expected once that work is complete.
