INDIANAPOLIS — United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler has announced the expansion of an initiative to respond to increased gun violence in the city of Indianapolis.
Operation Legend will be a 45-day commitment of 57 federal agents and investigators to support IMPD in their efforts to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is making $250,000 available to support the initiative in Indianapolis.
"We have seen 144 homicides this year. That is more than a 50 percent increase at this time last year. That is unacceptable," Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said.
Also, $25,000 of reward money will become available for tips in unsolved homicides.
Attorney General William Barr launched Operation Legend July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri. Operation Legend is named in honor of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he was asleep early in the morning on June 29 in Kansas City.
Over the last 30 days, Operation Legend has been implemented in Kansas City; Chicago; Albuquerque, New Mexico, Detroit; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Louis; and Memphis, Tennessee.
Operation Legend was created as a result of President Donald Trump’s promise to assist America’s cities that are plagued by recent violence.
