Ericka Wheeler was surprised and saddened when she learned of the death of her cousin Dayeon “DaDa” Johnson.
“He was a young boy who had his whole life ahead of him. He was setting the foundation for his son and was an all around good kid,” she said.
Johnson and a woman were fatally shot as they sat inside a parked car in an Indianapolis neighborhood. At Recorder press time, there were no suspects or information on this shooting.
As a past journalist and Indianapolis resident who likes being informed, Wheeler isn’t oblivious to the violence happening in the city, but said this time it is so much different.
“No one would disagree that all the violence going on is a shame. But it’s so much more tough when it’s your family,” said Wheeler.
The family of Purdue student, Andrew Boldt is also grieving.
Recently at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Cody Cousins, an engineering student, opened fire inside a basement classroom, killing Boldt a teaching assistant, inside the Electrical Engineering Building. Cousins surrendered to a police officer quickly, but at Recorder press time, his motive is unclear.
Also, Purdue Police Chief John Cox said this incident appears to be an isolated and intentional act.
“Recently the State of Indiana and Purdue University were added to our nation’s growing list of those who have had senseless gun violence on college campuses. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Purdue University family and I send my sincere condolences to the family of the victim,” said President Maggie Lewis, Indianapolis City-County Council. “As an adjunct faculty member at a local university, I know that campus is a place of trust and open discussion – it is heartbreaking to see that compromised for our state’s students. I encourage all of Indiana to keep the students, faculty, administration, staff and alumni of Purdue in our hearts as they begin the process of recovery from this senseless act.”
The violence continued.
Jeremiah Roberts, 26, and Derek Romano, 22, were arrested in Buffalo, Wyo. this week and were preliminarily charged with murder and robbery of Just Pizza delivery driver John Sullivan, 49. Sullivan was found dead Sunday morning in a Westside house being used as a dog rescue facility.
Sullivan’s co-workers at Just Pizza said he disappeared after delivering a pizza to an address on Belmont Avenue. They called police hours after Sullivan’s disappearance and searched for their missing colleague themselves.
“Really good guy; help you out, do anything for you. It’s hard to believe something like that would happen to him,” said coworker, James Copas.
Last week, 20-year-old employee Krystle Dikes along with shopper Rachelle Godfread, 44, was fatally shot by 22-year-old gunman Shawn Walter Bair at Martin’s Super Market in Elkhart, Ind. Bair was shot and killed by police moments later.
What may be alarming is that these incidents are only a small part of the violence that has occurred recently.
According to Lt. Chris Bailey of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), Indianapolis’ homicide rate for 2014 is currently at 9, which is slightly higher than last year around this time. Last year, the city saw 17 murders per 100,000 people. IMPD also said last year was the highest murder rate the city had seen in seven years.
These rates aren’t specific to Indy. Other cities like Fort Wayne and Gary Ind. also had record homicide rates.
“No one deserves to die by the hand of violence and no life is not sacred to this department. But there are a lot of issues that can’t be controlled by the police department such as lack of good jobs and education,” said Bailey. “But there are things we can do.”
Bailey said IMPD uses a three-pronged approach when combating violence: intervention, prevention and suppression. For example, they have programs that work with youth and follow and intervene in the lives of individuals who have precursor crimes and extensive criminal histories that may lead to future violence.
“What the chief has found and what he’s said in the past is that if you’re not involved in risky behaviors, such as dealing drugs or stealing, your chances of being a victim or suspect are significantly reduced,” said Bailey.
IMPD also has a bevy of community partners that help address violence, such as the Ten Point Coalition.
Rev. Charles Ellis, pastor of 25th St. Baptist Church and interim executive director of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition said the group’s passion and mission is to help reduce street violence and improve the community.
“(Blacks) are committing genocide,” Ellis said. “And what’s surprising to me is that the perpetrators are getting younger and younger.”
In addition to lack of resources, Ellis said other reasons behind today’s violence include feelings of hopelessness and that violence is glamorized in society leading to a disconnect between fantasy and reality.
Some argue that steps taken to combat violent crimes committed by or against whites are taken more seriously than when violence occurs against Blacks. Ellis understands this sentiment, however he believes the fundamental issue is the availability of and easy access to illegal guns that should be addressed by lawmakers.
“We need leaders who are going to drive change,” Wheeler agreed.
