Indianapolis - Metro Police are investigating a home robbery that resulted in the shooting death of the daughter of a well-known community leader.
Chanelle Walker, 24, was found shot inside her residence on the 2400 block of Morningstar around 1:30 am Saturday. Police say two intruders forced their way into the rear of the home and ransacked the bedroom area, demanding money. It is unknown what may have been taken from the residence.
"They started running out the door and on the way, they shot my daughter three times," said Reverend Malachi Walker, the victim's father. Reverend Walker is well-known in the community for leading "drive-by prayer" services at the scenes of area crimes.
"I'm on the street almost every day against this type of thing and when it strikes home, it hurts real bad," Rev. Walker said.
Just last week, the reverend and his group were out praying for peace, after a string of homicides shook up the city. He also works with troubled youth, dedicating his life to eradicating the very crime that has struck his family.
"This crime in the street just took my daughter away and I'm hurt, I really am. I'm outraged and hurt, but my faith in God is strong and I trust God," Rev. Walker said.
Detectives aren't sure if the intruders targeted the home, or if they just happened upon it by chance. But they say they were definitely looking for something, because the house was ransacked.
Police say they found several firearms and suspected marijuna in the victim's home, but stress it's unclear if that's what the suspects were searching for.
"Everybody in Indianapolis ought to be so angry that they step outside their house and say, 'No more," said Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams. "We're going to have peace in our streets and begin to cooperate with the police 100 percent."
Authorities say that's what it will take to stem the recent wave of violence, including more than a dozen homicides in the past month.
"I'm going to come back strong, it's not going to let me down," Rev. Walker said. "It's going to do nothing more than push me harder now."
Sunday evening, police released a composite sketch of one of the suspects in the homicide, described as being six feet tall with a slim build.
Family, friends and community leaders came together in prayer Saturday night in remembrance of Chanelle Walker.
They gathered at the Great Commission Church of God, where Walker's father is a pastor. They were there to not only mourn her loss, but also to continue her father's mission to prevent violence in the city.
"A man dedicated his life to making sure that all of us live peacefully has to go through this. It isn't right, it isn't right," Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said at the vigil.
"I want you to know, my wife and I, we're going to get through this and we just desire your prayers, continually," Rev. Walker told the group.
Walker also encouraged neighbors to partner with police by speaking up before crimes take place.
