INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD homicide detectives arrested a 39-year-old man Thursday for his alleged role in a Thanksgiving morning homicide at an east Indianapolis apartment complex.
Prosecutors charged Efrem Edmondson, of Indianapolis, with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and residential entry. Edmondson had his initial hearing Dec. 5.
Around 8:30 a.m. Nov. 23, officers responded to the 200 block of North Shortridge Road, near 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue, for a report of a person down.
Officers located a victim with traumatic injuries, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the body was found outside one of the apartment buildings, in a courtyard.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the man as 34-year-old Ousman A. Gasama.
"It appears he was injured in an apartment in a different building, in a different courtyard and somehow made his way, walking presumably, to the courtyard directly behind us which is where he was located," said Lt. Shane Foley, IMPD.
According to court documents, detectives identified Edmondson as the suspect in the deadly shooting of Gasama after speaking with witnesses. Detectives took Edmondson into custody Nov. 30 in the 300 block of North Shortridge Road, and he was interviewed by detectives and arrested on a preliminary murder charge.
Court documents say Edmondson told detectives someone had taken a bottle of his liquor that they didn't pay for. Edmondson allegedly said Gasama was being "aggressive" the entire night.
According to court documents, Edmondson said it appeared Gasama was going to attack him, and that is when he said he pulled out a gun and fired two shots.
Court documents say Edmondson later admitted he didn't see Gasama with any type of weapon while they were arguing and allegedly said Gasama didn't hit or injure him in any way.
According to court documents, Edmondson also admitted to forcing his way into an apartment two days after the shooting to get his clothes and possessions. Edmondson allegedly said he forced his way in because the person who lived there acted like they weren't home.
"It's just senseless," said a resident at the apartment complex who didn't want to give his name. "I was just up playing a game last night. I thought it was fireworks, but I guess it was two shots. I heard a bunch of people running out of the building, but that's normal."
Another man 13News spoke to, who also didn't want to give his name, said he was up around 8 a.m. Thursday heading to the store when he saw the body before police were called.
"I just thought he was asleep from whatever was going on last night because I know he was drinking last night," he said. "I sold him a bottle of alcohol last night. I ain't going to lie to you, I did. I didn't think that was going to end up to that."
He said he had only seen the victim around the apartment complex recently.
"I just seen him out here last week with his child. His baby momma pulled up, brought his child out here and he was kicking it with his child like a father should. He was kicking it with his son, that was cool," the man said.
“You wake up and you’re planning to watch football and spend the day with your family, and hopefully they’re still able to do those things, but at the same time, you wake up and see crime scene tape and officers and an individual who’s deceased in your courtyard," Foley said. "That’s not what families should go through on Thanksgiving or any day.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Ryan Clark at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email Ryan.Clark@indy.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.