IMPD makes four homicide arrests associated with weekend violence

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Homicide Detectives arrest four individuals in connection to two recent homicides.
 
“Our community-based beat officers have strong relationships in the neighborhoods they serve and IMPD has cohesive partnerships with state and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “And our collective message to violent criminals is simple: if you commit a crime in this city, we will find you, we will swiftly apprehend you, and you will face the full force of law.”
  
Announced last December, Mayor Hogsett’s violence reduction strategy calls for actions that are focused on disrupting the spread of violence and fostering positive community engagement, including a crackdown on the illegal possession of guns by violent criminals, investments in neighborhood-level interventions, and expanded access to wrap-around social services for those most in need. Since December, under IMPD Chief Bryan Roach’s leadership, IMPD has been focused on:

• Working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute violent offenders who have illegally armed themselves.
• Coordinating with United States Attorney Josh Minkler’s office to assign multiple Assistant United States Attorneys to each IMPD district, developing federal cases against those involved in gun violence and their associates.
• Establishing a Crime Gun Intelligence Center to connect shell casings and firearms in real-time to better inform local law enforcement intelligence.
• Encouraging communication between street-level community activists and neighborhood leaders to identify individuals who are encouraging violent behavior – and those seeking to escape the cycle of violence.

In June, Chief Roach and Mayor Hogsett laid out a summer crime strategy that included ramped up targeted enforcement efforts in neighborhoods IMPD’s return to community-based beat policing city-wide on April 23.  The stronger relationships built through beat policing, combined with enhanced analysis of crime data, has allowed for a deeper understanding of neighborhood-level crime trends and made it possible for IMPD to target enforcement of those at risk of involvement in violent crime. This strategy included ramping up staffing in the homicide unit, partnering across Indianapolis law enforcement agencies to consistently address shootings and homicides, and a Gun Liaison Program enhancing gun intelligence efforts to ensure the immediate and thorough investigation of gun crimes.

“The community and law enforcement partnerships that led to today’s arrests send a clear message: violent crime will not be tolerated in Indianapolis,” said Chief Roach. “From the Homicide Unit to our beat officers, IMPD remains dedicated to building the bridges of trust within the community that help us get violent offenders and illegally-possessed weapons off our streets and allow us to better serve our community.”

Thanks to increased communication and the continued strengthening of relationships between neighborhood groups and district officers, on August 21, 2018 Homicide Detectives arrested four individuals suspected of committing violent crimes:

• Tashawanna Wilson (38) was arrested for the August 19 stabbing of a female that occurred during a fight in the 1600 block of S. State Ave. Just before 6 pm on August 19, IMPD officers were dispatched to 2101 Boulevard Place, where they located an unresponsive female. The female was transported to Methodist Hospital where she later died from her injuries, despite the best efforts of medical personnel.
• Juwaun Terry (18), Jason Epeards (18), and Jasean Dale (19) were arrested for the armed robbery and murder of a delivery driver that occurred on August 20. Just before 7:45 pm on August 20, IMPD officers were dispatched to the 11400 block of Kristen Circle on a welfare check call. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded and pronounced the victim dead on-scene. 

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will review the cases and make a charging decision. The IMPD would like to thank the community for their ongoing support and efforts in helping to make Indianapolis a safer place to live, work, and play!

IMPD continues to urge anyone with information on criminal activity to 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.