Indianapolis killings in December 2023
After three years of seeing more than 200 homicides annually, IndyStar is tracking each killing to better understand violence in the city and remember the victims. This list is preliminary, and the number of homicides can change as authorities investigate the circumstances of each case, determining whether the slaying was criminal, justified, accidental or suicide. IndyStar has excluded cases ruled accidents, suicides, fatal overdoses or hit-and-run deaths unless they were deemed intentional. This information is compiled using data from Indianapolis police, court records and interviews with family and friends of those killed. Anyone with information that could help a homicide investigation is asked to call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 to remain anonymous.
Are we missing information? Email Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com or Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com.
November | December | Public safety news
Shania E. Shaw, 24, killed in shooting on Christmas Day
Dec. 25: Just after 5 a.m., Dec. 25, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call of a disturbance at a residence on the 6600 block of East 52nd Place. They found a woman outside the location with gunshot wounds. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
The woman killed was identified as 24-year-old Shania E. Shaw.
IMPD detectives believe a disturbance occurred before the shooting incident and a male suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. Detectives are working to determine the relationship between the woman and the suspect.
Around 9:30 p.m., IMPD announced that detectives arrested 24-year-old Sir Brown Jr. for his alleged role in the killing of the woman.
Lead detective: Gregory Shue, Gregory.Shue@indy.gov
Tyrone Word Jr., 35, killed in Cumberland shooting Christmas
Dec. 24: Tyrone Word Jr., 35, was shot and killed in an apartment near the 11500 Block of Taftwood Dr. in Cumberland on Christmas Day.
Police responded to a report of a person shot near East Washington St. and North German Church Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 25.
When officers arrived at the scene they found Word, who had been shot and medics pronounced him dead at the scene. Cumberland police are handling the case as a homicide.
Investigators said Word did not live in the apartment where he was found. The man who leases the apartment was identified as 35-year-old Joshua Flemming and he is facing preliminary charges of murder and resisting law enforcement, court records show.
Camello Dolce, 54, dies after arriving at fire station with gunshot wounds
Dec. 24: At about 7 p.m. police responded to a call from an Indianapolis Fire Department station at 4120 N. Mitthoefer Road of a walk-in person who had been shot. Medics then transported 54-year-old Camello Dolce to an area hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred near the 9900 block of East 38th Street.
More: Argument over food on Christmas Eve ends in fatal east side Indianapolis shooting
About a week and a half later, police announced the arrest of 29-year-old Jerry Phillips in connection with the killing. He was taken in custody on Jan. 4 and is facing a preliminary charge of murder, jail records show.
Lead detective: Matthew Melkey, Matthew.Melkey@indy.gov
Travon Anthony Williams, 28, dies in shooting on Bosart Avenue
Dec. 24: Police responded to a 9 p.m. report of a shooting at a residence in the 2000 block of Bosart Avenue where they found another man, Travon Anthony Williams, 28, who had been shot. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Officers found a second male gunshot victim near the intersection of East 20th Street and North Drexel Avenue. He was transported to a hospital in serious condition. Police said the initial investigation suggests the shootings are related and happened inside a residence.
Lead detective: Matthew Melkey, Matthew.Melkey@indy.gov
Matthew Kelley, 43, dies in shooting after family disturbance
Dec. 23: Matthew Kelley, 43, was fatally shot on the west side of Indianapolis.
Officers responded to the 400 block of Lansdowne Road at 7 p.m. to find Kelley with gunshot wounds inside a home, police said.
Homicide detectives responded and preliminary information suggests a family disturbance occurred before the shooting.
Kelley died at the scene.
Officers detained a person of interest, but after consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, that individual was released pending further investigation, police said.
Lead detective: TyAnn Lambert, TyAnn.Lambert@indy.gov
Shon Hudson, 43, dead after double shooting at far eastside of Indianapolis
Dec. 20: IMPD East District officers were called to the 4000 block of Brentwood Dr. on a report of a person shot at around 5:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found two men injured by gunfire, according to a news release.
Emergency medics declared one man deceased and rushed the second man to a nearby hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
The man killed was identified as 43-year-old Shon Hudson.
Lead detective: Daniel Hiatt, Daniel.Hiatt@indy.gov
Murder-suicide in Plainfield leaves two people dead
Dec. 18: PLAINFIELD — Two people are dead in a murder-suicide in a Plainfield home that occurred early Monday, according to local investigators.
Officers responded to the home in the 5800 block of Grevillea Lane on a report of a burglary around 3:30 a.m. They found a shattered basement window then two adults dead inside the home. Detectives were called to investigate.
Our agency is now handling this as a murder-suicide case,” deputy chief Joe Aldridge of the Plainfield Police Department said.
The homeowner and woman killed was identified as 47-year-old Jessica Diane Stoebick. The intruder was identified as 41-year-old Ryan Gibbs, who was the woman's estranged ex-husband.
Other family members were inside the home at the time, but were unharmed, according to Plainfield police.
“This investigation is profoundly challenging for the affected family, particularly given the holiday season,” Aldridge said. “We ask for the community's support in keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Anyone with information on the killings is asked to contact Detective Taylor Wilson at 317-754-5284.
Leonard Eugene Germany III, 23, killed in shooting at apartments on Butler Terrace
Dec. 17: Officers were called to the 5300 block of Butler Terrace on a report of a person shot around 6:30 p.m. When they arrived, they heard a call for help from inside an apartment and forced the door open.
Police found a man with gunshot injuries. He died after he was transported to a hospital and identified as 23-year-old Leonard Eugene Germany III.
Lead detective: Dustin Keedy, Dustin.Keedy@indy.gov
John Randolph Bonilla Jr., 44, shot, killed on North Illinois Street
Dec. 14: Police responded to a person down before 11 a.m. in the 2200 block of North Illinois Street.
John Randolph Bonilla Jr. 44, was found with trauma that was later confirmed as gunshot wounds. Medics pronounced Bonilla dead at the scene.
The following day, the Marion County Coroner's Office ruled his death a homicide.
Lead detective: Christopher Edwards, Christopher.Edwards@indy.gov
Death of 9-month-old Ana Perez-Hernandez declared a homicide, mother charged
Dec. 11: An Indianapolis mother is facing charges in connection with the death of her 9-month-old daughter, who suffered head trauma, according to court documents.
An investigation began after Ingris Marleni-Hernandez, 36, brought her infant daughter to the emergency room in critical condition on Dec. 6.
More: Indianapolis mother charged in death of 9-month-old daughter, who suffered head injuries
The 9-month-old, identified as Ana Perez-Hernandez, was suffering from a brain bleed, brain swelling, swelling in the ligaments of her neck and she had bruises on her forehead and buttocks, according to court documents.
The girl died at the hospital on Dec. 11. Her mother is now facing charges of neglect of a dependent causing death and aggravated battery, court records show.
Ethan J. David, 18, found dead inside vehicle in Greenwood neighborhood
Dec. 10: GREENWOOD — Officers were called to the 2000 block of Liberty Way Drive in Greenwood on a report of a person shot around 6:45 p.m.
Neighbors told investigators they heard a gunshot then saw two people running away from a vehicle. The neighbors then found an injured male inside the vehicle, said Greenwood PD assistant chief of police Matthew Fillenwarth.
The male was identified as 18-year-old Ethan J. David, of Indianapolis, by the Johnson County Coroner. David’s cause and manner of death remain pending, according to the coroner.
Three days after the killing, Greenwood police announced they arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl in the deadly shooting.
The Greenwood Police Department can be reached at 317-346-6336.
Ariel Marie Calhoun, 18, killed in shooting on Crest Lane
Dec. 3: Officers were called to the 7900 block of Scarborough Boulevard on the northeast side of the city on a report of a person shot at about 6:45 p.m.
They found 18-year-old Ariel Marie Calhoun about a half mile away in the street in the 7300 block of Crest Lane on the city's northeast side. Calhoun had gunshot injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
More: Woman, 18, was ambitious go-getter. She's the latest young person killed in Indy violence
Police have not announced any arrests in the case.
Luis Edgardo Martinez Navas, 52, found dead in vehicle on Interstate 65
Dec. 3: Indiana State Police troopers were called around 2 p.m. about a man slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle stopped at the top of an exit ramp on Interstate 65.
They found the vehicle on a northbound I-65 ramp leading to southbound Martin Luther King Street on the north side of the city.
Police found the man in the driver’s seat of a grey Nissan van. The man was unresponsive and had gunshot injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene and later identified as 52-year-old Luis Edgardo Martinez Navas of Noblesville.
Investigators found bullet holes on the passenger side of Martinez's car.
Detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have been driving in the area at about 1:45 p.m., especially those with vehicles equipped with cameras.
Anyone with information can contact ISP at 317-899-8577.
Lead detective: Jose Torres, Jose.Torres@indy.gov.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis killings in December 2023
