INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – The family of a young mother and weekend murder victim is looking for answers.
Loved one's of Monica Pirtle say she was not the target after someone opened fire on Monica and her boyfriend just part of the violent weekend in our city.
People who live in the Orchard Valley Farms Housing Edition on Indy’s east side believe the shooting actually happened in front of the victim's home.
The victim drove into the cul de sac where the family is trying to figure out what lead up to the shooting.
Javiona Pirtle said, “Police came to my house and told us that my mom didn't make it."
In the same cul de sac where a child plays basketball is where Javiona Pirtle lost her mother to gun violence.
The shooting happened around midnight on Crabtree Court as her mother Monica Pirtle and her boyfriend returned home from the movies in her SUV. The boyfriend is in stable condition at the hospital.
“When I heard the gun shots fired I was up," said Pirtle. "They were too close to the house so I ran to my sister and I said something's wrong. And we were blowing up my mom's phone and calling her. Called my auntie and told her we heard gunshots."
The close-knit family is convinced Monica was not the intended target.
A neighbor snapped a photo of where the SUV came to a stop and shared it Eyewitness News.
Witnesses say her mother’s 34-year-old boyfriend crawled out of the vehicle for help. But when officers arrived on the scene they found Monica dead inside.
Javiona Pirtle said, “Somebody could have set them up because my mom, she doesn't hurt a fly. She doesn't hurt nobody. She don't bother nobody”.
Javiona shared additional photos with Eyewitness News which she calls some of her favorite family pictures. They include photos featuring her youngest sister who is just two years old.
They ALL had plans to celebrate mom's upcoming birthday.
“Her birthday's on Tuesday," said Javiona Pirtle. "We were just planning her birthday. Now we've got to turn around and plan her funeral."
Now as Metro homicide look for clues on the shooter, the victims heartbroken family prays for justice.
“It shocked me a lot”, said Javiona Pirtle, “It broke my heart”.
If you have any information that could help in this case call crime stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Monica Pirtle's family.