Indianapolis saw 154 homicides in 2017, the most murders in one year since the city began keeping such records. The first murder in 2017 occurred on January 3, and, now, the first suspected violent crime – also a murder – in 2018 also occurred on January 3. In 2016, the first murder occurred on January 4.
Police were called to the 3600 block of Schofield on Wednesday morning to investigate a car with a shattered rear window and a dead body in the passenger’s seat. The person in the passenger’s seat apparently died by violent means, but police did not disclose the nature of the violence. Police were also not willing to speculate about what shattered the car’s rear window. One officer said that the vehicle may have been damaged in an earlier accident. Police also theorized that the murderous act occurred at another location and the car was then brought to the location where it was found. The victim was identified as a 27-year-old male.
Despite the unhappy coincidence of the first two murders of the last two years having occurred on the same day, another coincidence may favor police: they have been able to identify suspects and make arrests in the first murder of the year going back to 2014.
The investigation in this case has just begun. The police did not disclose whether they recovered any evidence from the car, but forensic technicians will presumably examine the car for evidence such as fingerprints and traces of DNA. If a suspect is arrested and charged with a crime, they will be presumed innocent unless they are convicted by evidence showing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney for advice on the law and evidence that will govern the outcome.
Source: Fox 59, “Officials identify 27-year-old victim in first Indy homicide of 2018,” Jesse Wells, Jan. 3, 2018
