LAWRENCE, Ind. (WTHR) — Lawrence police and U.S. Marshals are asking for help to find a homicide suspect.
Detectives are asking for the public's assistance in locating Tighe L. Bibbs, 19, who has an open warrant for murder from Marion County Superior Court.
Charges have been filed against Bibbs in connection with the homicide of 16-year old Shiloh Britton.
Britton's body was found December 6, 2018 at her family's Maison Gardens apartment.
“It’s a relief to know they know who it is and they have a name and a face," said Special Prunty, the victim’s mother. “It puts a face to the monster, basically.”
Prunty says it was a monster who murdered her 16-year-old daughter while the family slept.
It was exactly three months ago Wednesday that Maison Garden neighbors were awakened by frightening sounds, later learning the frightening reality.
“At seven, I just heard the mom screaming and yelling 'help me, help me, my baby, my baby, my baby," said Katurah Allen, the victim’s neighbor.
Prunty found her daughter shot once in the forehead. The suspect was gone.
Court papers say police found the victim’s cell phone which had Facebook messages between Britton and “OG Willow” a nickname the suspect allegedly used.
Two minutes after midnight on December 6, 2018 just before the murder, police say the suspect messaged her:
OG WILLOW: “walking in the apartments.”
Shiloh: “got to take your shoes off at the door.”
At 12:05 a.m., another message.
OG WILLOW: “open the door.“
Shiloh responded: (emoji) and an expletive, ISG (web shorthand for "I swear to God").
Police say apartment security video shows a male looking like suspect Tighe Bibbs at the victims door, going inside, then leaving 11 minutes later."
He quickly returned, then left again a minute later “With a dark colored item in his right hand,” court papers said.
A search of his apartment turned up ammunition but no sign of the suspect. Police say Bibbs is still on the loose.
Police say Bibbs was arrested last year for carrying a gun without a license.
Lawrence police said Wednesday that Bibbs and the victim had once dated. Prunty told Eyewitness News she did not know the suspect but that Shiloh probably did.
“I’m under the impression she knew him, and obviously, she trusted him enough to bring him into our home that night. And she was naïve. She was naïve.”
Prunty says the suspect may have connections in the Detroit area. Court papers indicate, hours after the murder, the suspect’s cell phone was traced to multiple locations around Detroit. A week later, the phone was still active around Detroit.
If you have information, it may be shared anonymously with Crime Stoppers by visiting crimetips.org, using the “submit a tip” button at the top of the page. Tipsters can also download P3Tips, the Crime Stoppers smartphone app, to submit an anonymous tip, or by calling317-262-TIPS (8477) or 800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.