Cops: Woman found near IUPUI was shot

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A woman found dead on a walking path near IUPUI Wednesday night died of a gunshot wound and the gun was found at the scene, Indiana State Police officials said Thursday afternoon.

Police said the woman found dead was 51-year-old Sherese A. Bingham. The Marion County coroner said Bingham suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

Bingham didn’t live far from where her body was found.

A person riding a bicycle found a body in the White River State Park and called 911 around 7:30 p.m. When officers arrived on scene, they found the body surrounded by two dogs. Police say they had trouble beginning the investigation initially because it seemed as if the dogs were protecting her.

The dogs were taken by Animal Control. It was unclear whether they had belonged to the woman, Indiana State Police said.

The circumstances surrounding the death are still part of the investigation.

Bingham's family members declined to talk on camera. However, a woman who answered the phone says their family is still trying to figure out what happened.