INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A 19-year-old Indianapolis man is charged with killing three people over four nights, and authorities say he was inspired by horror movie “The Purge.”
Court documents say a witness told detectives that Jonathan Cruz told her he was “purging.” Police said this refers to the 2013 movie starring Ethan Hawke in which crimes could be committed without fear of prosecution over a 12-hour period.
Cruz’s initial hearing on murder, robbery and other felony counts is scheduled Thursday in Indianapolis. Police say Cruz shot and killed Billy Boyd and Jay Higginbotham on May 12 and Jose Ruiz on May 15.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry called the attacks “100 percent random” and that he would consider seeking the death penalty.
Cruz is already in jail in an unrelated case.
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