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Domestic violence advocates spread awareness following deadly Christmas morning shooting on Indy's northeast side

Following an early Christmas morning shooting, domestic violence advocates say they've seen an uptick in these type of situations.

INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is investigating a deadly shooting that happened on the city's northeast side Monday morning.

Police responded to a report of a person shot outside of a home in the 6600 block of East 52nd Place, near North Arlington Avenue and East 56th Street, just after 5 a.m. Dec. 25.

Officers arrived and found a woman who had been shot. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.

The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as 24-year-old Shania E. Shaw.

"This should not be the scene, nor should this be what our community members wake up to any morning, let alone a holiday morning," IMPD Ofc. Samone Burris said. "This is very, very unfortunate."

RELATED: 2 killed, 5 more injured in Indianapolis shootings on Christmas Eve

Following the shooting on Christmas morning, 13News spoke with domestic violence advocates who say they have seen an uptick in these type of situations.

"From different reasons — alcohol, drugs, and also that power control could be lost due to the fact that the victim is ready to leave and get out of the situation," said Danyette Smith, with Indy Champions. 

Smith knows all too well the signs of domestic violence. A survivor herself, she's been helping others in similar situations through Indy Champions as part of Indy's Public Safety Foundation.

"We want you to know that not only are we there 24 hours, but we want to streamline you, whether it's to a shelter, whether it's to a different agency, depending on the services that you need," Smith said.

IMPD said the suspect who killed the woman in the northeast side neighborhood Monday morning was a man, however he left the scene before officers arrived.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m. Monday, IMPD announced they'd arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the shooting.

(NOTE: 13News does not name suspects until charges have been filed by prosecutors.)

While police work to determine the relationship between the man and woman, Smith wants others to be aware of the signs of domestic violence.

RELATED: Man dies after arriving at northeast Indianapolis fire station with gunshot wound

"Guns in the home of someone with domestic violence abuser who owns a gun, it ups the risk of fatalities 1,000%, so you have a chance of being killed," Smith said. "If strangulation is involved, understanding that guns and strangulation can increase your chance of being killed by 1,600%."

While police search for the shooter, Smith said there are resources for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation.

"We're trying to push this education out to understand domestic violence and understand the advocacy and the importance of having an advocate for those safety plans for our community so we can continue to fight this fight on domestic violence," Smith said. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Gregory Shue at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email at Gregory.Shue@indy.gov. Tips can also be made anonymously to  Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

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