License plate readers, cameras lead to arrest in woman's killing on Michigan Street
The latest crime-fighting technology rolled out by Indianapolis police led officers to a suspect in a woman’s killing, according to court records.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police this week arrested Ronnie Smith in the death of 35-year-old Sabrina Travis, who was shot and killed early Sunday on the east side of the city. Detectives in a probable cause affidavit for Smith’s arrest say license plate readers and cameras helped officers identify the 20-year-old as their suspect.
The license plate readers and cameras are among the latest technology purchased by Indianapolis police as part of the city’s three-year, anti-violence plan funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Police leaders invested $9 million of the roughly $33 million in federal funds the department was given to add about 350 cameras, 350 license plate readers and a pilot gunshot detection system to areas in the city.
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Travis was found with a gunshot wound before 2 a.m. Sunday in the 2700 block of East Michigan Street. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
When detectives arrived, officers told them about a road rage investigation that occurred shortly before Travis was found, which they investigated. Detectives reviewed nearby camera footage, which they said captured a Chevrolet Impala rear-end a Dodge Charger at the intersection of Michigan and Rural streets, two minutes before police were dispatched to the shooting.
Police said the video footage showed a man got out of the Impala and fired multiple shots near Travis’ direction. The Dodge Charger is then seen turning onto Michigan Street, and the man then got back into the Impala and drove after the Charger.
A search of the Impala’s license plate captured by a camera led police to link the car to Smith, police said in the affidavit.
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Detectives on Wednesday found the Impala at an apartment on the east side of Indianapolis and later detained Smith while police searched the car. Police said a 9-millimeter handgun was under the driver seat.
During interviews with investigators, Smith said he had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend the night of the shooting. Smith began following his girlfriend driving in her car. When they pulled up to the intersection, Smith told police, he got out of the Impala with a gun and “fired two to three shots into the air.” He said he was trying to get his girlfriend’s attention.
Smith has been preliminarily charged with reckless homicide and criminal recklessness. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will determine final charges.
Contact Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: License plate readers, cameras lead to arrest in woman's killing
