INDIANAPOLIS — Data from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows the number of homicides and non fatal shootings is down from this time in 2021, but there have been more than 140 homicides so far in 2022.
City leaders joined members of the Far Eastside community Saturday for the annual Peace Walk and anti-violence community day.
The event provides resources that can help address poverty, domestic violence and other issues that many say are the root causes of violence in their community.
"I made the Peace Walk today in honor of my older two children who I lost in 2019 while they were getting ready for school in our apartment. Nicholas Nelson, who was 16 at the time he left, and Ashlynn Nelson, who was 15 at the time she left," Antonia Bailey said.
PREVIOUS: East side community begs for peace after siblings' murder | Indianapolis community devastated after teen siblings killed
Howard Graves lives on the Far Eastside and walked in memory of his cousin, Wilbur Morton.
"[He was] affectionately known as Chief ... I love him so much. I miss him so much," Graves said.
City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson participates in the walk each year. She talked to WRTV about Temario Stokes Jr., who died this week after being shot while walking to a bus stop in Greenwood.
"[He] thought he was going to school. Somebody walked up and shot him. Those are the things. Those are the triggers. That's the why," Jackson said. "But it's the how. How do we do it? How do we stop it?"
RELATED: 2022 Indianapolis Homicide Map
Graves says there's still work to be done and people need to be met where they are. Bailey shared a similar message — everyone is needed.
"Your future is so bright and so important and if you don't stop, you won't be able to see how much you can make an impact on the lives of those you love," Bailey said.
-
Indianapolis hopes to become 'women's sports capital of the world' by 2050
Officials believe women's sports can continue to boost the Indianapolis economy long after Indiana Fever sharpshooter Caitlin Clark retires.Jennifer McCormick releases plan for marijuana legalization
Her campaign estimates it would generate $172 million of revenue for the state. She says she would like to see that funding go back to local politics.Scammers preying on die-hard Taylor Swift fans as Eras Tour in Indy approaches
WRTV spoke to one woman who is now out almost $1,000 after trying to buy Taylor Swift tickets for an Indianapolis show in a Facebook group.IMPD’s proposed 2025 budget hopes to put more money into recruitment efforts
The department is set to receive about $338 million next year, 4% more than this year’s budget. A lot of that money will go towards recruitment efforts and officer salaries.