INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD on Monday announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with an August 2024 shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy and 22-year-old man on Indianapolis' northeast side.
The shooting happened around 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in the 7300 block of Shadeland Avenue, near East 71st Street.
An off-duty Lawrence police officer found 3-year-old Armonie Booker and 22-year-old Jaishawn Johnson with gunshot wounds inside a car outside of a strip mall, and worked with medics to provide aid.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Booker was taken in critical condition to Riley Hospital for Children, where he was pronounced dead.
IMPD homicide detectives identified a 22-year-old man as a suspect in the case.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, an IMPD officer on patrol pulled over a car in the 300 block of North Sherman Drive, near East New York Street. The officer recognized the suspect, who was taken into custody, the department said.
"This arrest marks a significant step toward justice for the families affected by this tragedy, including the innocent toddler whose life was senselessly cut short," IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said in a statement. "The impact of this violent act continues to reverberate throughout our community and weigh heavily on the families of the victims."
Anyone with additional information on the incident is asked to contact IMPD Det. Michael Wright 317-327-3475 or email Michael.Wright@indy.gov.
"How could you kill a 3-year-old?"
"We were just talking about his birthday coming up and that he was going to be a big boy now," Tiah Gaithings, who cut Booker's hair for about a year and a half, told 13News after the shooting. "He just has so much personality."
"As soon as I seen it on social media, I just threw my phone because I was angry, because how could you kill a 3-year-old?" Gaithings said. "He's interesting. He's so full of life. He's just so well-behaved. Well-mannered. He's just so, he's character. He just has so much personality. Like, that's what drew me into him."
"He deserves to be remembered for his positive contributions"
Brandon Randall, a mentor for Johnson, said he spent the last few years working to turn his life around. Randall said Johnson recently got his GED and was looking to start a career.
"He was a victim to violence, and he deserves to be remembered for his positive contributions to this world," Randall said in August.
Randall told 13News Johnson was one of those students who always looked out for everyone.
"I worked with young people for 18 years. Sometimes, you just meet a student that makes an impression on you. Jaishawn was one of those young people," Randall said.
