INDIANAPOLIS — An alarming trend is on the rise in the Hoosier state: People shooting others on the interstate.
At least two Hoosiers lost their lives to this violence this year.
“I just miss my son man,” Anthony Shelman said. 30-year-old Anthony Shelman Jr. was one of the most recent.
“That was my best friend for 30 years. He played football, he ran track,” Shelman Sr. said.
Over the weekend Shelman’s life was cut short. State police say he died after a car crash near the intersection of 21st and Emerson. Police say Shelman Jr. was shot multiple times on I-70 before the crash.
“My son was a good person. I’m telling you. This crazy stuff that happened to him.. I just can’t believe it. I still haven’t slept yet,” Shelman Sr. said.
State police say this is at least the 12th interstate shooting this year, in addition to 53 incidents that Indiana State Police have investigated where a gun was displayed or pointed but not fired since Jan 1.
Last year, 66 people were shot on interstates in central Indiana. Here are the numbers for the years prior:
2018: 9 people
2019: 9 people
2020: 23 people
2021: 65 people
“His kids are everything to him. He’s putting their boots on the same way I taught him. He didn’t deserve this,” Shelman Sr. said.
Now Anthony Sr. and his family just want the person who took his sons life to come forward.
“I’m seeking justice. I want justice and I’m not going to stop until I find out who did this to my brother,” Laquala Beech Shelman Jr.’s sister said.
ISP later arrested Julius Willis for the shooting.
According to Detective Christopher Hanson, a search warrant was executed at a residence on the southwest side of Indianapolis. During the search, methamphetamine was found.
Willis was taken into custody and is being charged with murder and attempted murder.
A female identified as Krishawna Cleveland, 24, was also taken into custody. She is being charged with dealing and possession of methamphetamine.
A third man was later arrested.
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