The two women killed Monday on Hovey Street had romantic ties to men implicated in drug cases, but police say it is too early to know whether the killings were related to drugs.
Gina Hunt, 24, one of the victims in Monday night's quadruple homicide in the 3200 block of Hovey Street, had a child with Demarcus "CoCo" Garner, 29, one of 21 people indicted in August on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the so-called "Haughville syndicate." Andrea Yarrell, 24, another victim Monday night, had been involved with Gene Boyd, who is serving time in a drug case, according to his mother, Annie Boyd.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Michael Spears would not comment on any possible connection between the victims of Monday night's shootings and the Haughville syndicate or other drug rings or violent crimes in the Indianapolis area.
"I suppose anything's possible at this point," Spears said. "This investigation is so fresh that I'm not going to rule out anything. I can't tell you with accuracy or certainty that there is a link at this point. We are investigating every possible circumstance."
Ryckaert identifies the owner of the house where the shootings took place as James Walker, but he was unable to reach him for comment. As to that September break-in where the women and children were held at gunpoint by two gunmen, Ryckaert says the men were looking for a "Dick Walker." James Walker told police at that time the men were looking for him because he witnessed the broad daylight fatal shooting of Tyree Knox a few days earlier. Ryckaert notes that Chief Spears claimed that the breakup of the Haughville syndicate at the time had reduced the number of homicides in the city.
UPDATE: Police take a possible suspect into custody today in connection with the shootings, but it raises more questions about the problem with our criminal justice system. In 2005, Zarumin Coleman, Jr., 21, was convicted of attempted armed robbery. He served only 18 months for that crime and was placed in a community corrections program according to the Star. There was already an outstanding warrant out for Coleman's arrest for violating the terms of his release.
UPDATE II: Another two men have been taken into custody by police in connection with the shootings. Jasper Frazier, 36, turned himself in to police in Toledo, Ohio. Frazier has told police he was present during Monday night's slaying but says he didn't pull the trigger. "I ain't kill them kids, man," Frazier said, speaking from Toledo, Ohio. "I'm not running. I'm turning myself in with my family.""The people that killed the kids, they was going to kill me." Frazier would appear to be a product of our city's public school system judging from his grammar. Police have also taken into custody a third man, Tommy Warren, 24, on an unrelated warrant for questioning.
17 comments:
I listened, quite by accident, to the father of Ms. Hunt on Abdul's radio program just now.
It was the most dramatic radio interview I've ever heard in my life. He admitted he was a recovering drug user, and that his daughter had quite a problem with marijuana. She was robbed last September at gunpoint in the home.
Mr. Hunt said he, his ex-wife, and his mother had tried repeatedly to get his daughter to move out of the neighborhood, but his daughter refused. He talked to her 45 mins. before she and her child were fatally shot. Thankfully for him, it was a warm, loving conversation.
He insisted his daughter was not a drug dealer, but was a heavy pot user.
Hold all your indignant questions (and there are PLENTY) until after Saturday--the day he buries his daughter and grandson. The grandchild's second birthday would've been Feb. 6.
A multi-generational human tragedy. This man's pain was palpable through the radio airwaves. I'm guessing it hit many folks like it did me--tears ran down my face.
RIP, Ms. Hunt, Ms. Yarrell and babies.
What a senseless waste.
A man called in after Hunt's father and disputed his account that it wasn't obvious what was taking place at the house. He said neighbors have known for a long time it was a place for gambling and drugs.
True or not, I don't think anyone blames a father if he put on blinders after the event. I listened also and thought him articulate and intelligent. Sad situation all the way around.
Please keep this post alive after Satruday's funerals, Gary.
Out of respect, I won't go into the gory details.
But this is a tragedy we cannot afford to repeat. Live and learn. (I hope)
I just seem to have a problem with the scales, guns and video surveilance found in this house and a father's denial that this was not a drug house.
Always, without exception, there is always denial from those in the black community whose sons and daughters and grandchildren would never be involved in such activities resulting in heinous crimes such as this.
Denial, denial and more denial even when death visits you in the dark of night or in the bright of a sunny afternoon.
Someday, someone with guts in the black community will say: "Enough is enough. Today is the day we turn and fight!".
You know, it's not a black and white thing. There are plenty of poor white moms who get quoted on TV calling their sons "good kids" who "got in with the wrong crowd" or who were "in the wrong place at the wrong time" after they rob, shoot, or kill someone.
As a friend of mine says, knuckleheads don't listen to anyone--not a black leader, white leader, father, or mother.
indybluerollcom.blogspot.com is saying that they may have a suspect cornered on north side. Let's all hope so.
As a local high school teacher, I have so many students who are nice respectful kids that end up committing horrible crimes.....I shake my head and wonder how they can be so different on the streets..
That should be indybluerollcall.blogspot.com above. They have another update now.
where can i hear this radio interview?
The interview is supposed to be at www.wxnt.com
anon 853, thank you for sharing the story. Time to go to WXNTs site to have a listen.
That is a must hear for everyone. God bless Mr. Hunt and his family.
For all the grief blogs have given to Abdul--he got this interview, and he did an incredible job.
Abdul got dumped as a columnist by the IBJ. WXNT is probably not far behind them.
Sorry to disappoint some of you, but I think I'll be here for a while in mutliple media outlets. Get used to it. :-)
These tragic incidents will happen again and again as long as cannabis is illegal. If you find yourself on a jury on a case involving a drug law remember that you are judging the law as well as the facts and STRIKE DOWN the drug law with a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
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