INDIANAPOLIS — Community advocates are mourning the death of a 39-year-old man who dedicated his life to eliminating violence in Indianapolis.
"There's no such thing as strangers. We're all family. So, when you're looking at that, I think it would be hard for you to shoot your brother, your sister, your uncle," Ron Gee said during an interview in 2022.
But on Thursday, July 18, Gee was the brother, the son and the father taken by the very thing he was fighting against — gun violence. Gee was shot and killed in his car near East 38th Street and North Arlington Avenue on the city's east side.
Friday morning, the Marion County Coroner's Office confirmed his death — using his full name of Ronald G. Frieson.
Remembering Ron Gee
"Standing here on this scene, I don't want to believe it. I'm hoping and wishing that it's a dream and I'll wake up, but I'm standing here and I know it's not," said Antonio Patton, an anti-violence advocate and friend of Gee.
Dee Ross, a good friend of Gee and also a fellow advocate, said Indianapolis didn't just lose a good man, but also a hero and legend.
"This is unacceptable. To the city of Indianapolis, I'm telling you now, this is unacceptable. The gun violence is out of control, and enough is enough. We have taken someone from our community who wasn't destroying our community, who was empowering and uplifting our community and fighting for us," Ross said.
Gee is also described as a mentor to many, but his most prized protégé was his son, who started his own anti-violence group, Young Minds Indianapolis.
"Me being their age and doing what they're doing, I'm telling them, 'No, that's not the right path to go,' I think it'll be a change on it," said Gee's son.
Not only was Gee known for his advocacy, but also his ability to throw down in the kitchen.
"Everybody knew Ron Gee for his Grippo Wings. Those Grippo Wings were his signature wings. So, that's his recipe," said Mike Ford, an advocate and friend of Gee.
But whether you know him by his food or him feeding your soul, his legacy lives through those he touched.
"The only thing we can push for is unity in the community for us to come together and spread more love than hate in the words of Ron Gee," Ross said.
Police have not shared information at this time about a possible suspect or motive.
"Any instance of violence in our community is unfortunate," IMPD Officer Amanda Hibschman said. "We have to do better. Our community has to do better. We have to find better ways to solve problems."
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.