IMPD Homicide detectives make arrest in 2018 murder

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Homicide detectives announce the arrest of Clifton Coats Jr (28) for his alleged role in the shooting death of Gregory Harris (28) on 03/30/2018.

On March 30, 2018 just after 2:40 p.m., officers with the IMPD were dispatched to the 3000 block of E 35^th St on reports of a person shot. When officers arrived, they located a male victim, later identified as Gregory Harris, suffering from apparent gunshot wound(s). EMS personnel responded and pronounced the male dead on-scene.

Homicide detectives responded and began canvassing the area and speaking with potential witnesses. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to assist with identifying and collecting potential forensic evidence.

During the course of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of Clifton Coats Jr, on suspicion of murder, for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of Gregory Harris. Coats was located and arrested by Lawrence Police Department on 03/16/2019 on unrelated charges. He was later transferred to the main jail. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case and make a charging decision.

This incident should serve as a message to those seeking to commit violence in Indianapolis, that they will be held accountable. The IMPD ended 2018 with a homicide clearance rate of 64%, more than 20% higher than the previous year. Violence will not be tolerated by IMPD or the Indianapolis community.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. This release may be updated as more information becomes available. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.

A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.