INDIANAPOLIS — Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was found dead on the near northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday.
Officers were called around 5 p.m. to investigate a report of a person who was unresponsive sitting in a truck in the 2800 block of North Olney Street, near 28th Street and North Sherman Drive.
Officers found the man, later identified as Dajuan Barnett, 33, in the driver's side seat of a truck behind his house. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
As medics were evaluating Barnett, they noticed he had what appeared to be a gunshot wound. That's when homicide detectives were called to investigate.
Detectives now believe the shooting happened in the truck while it was parked behind the house. They believe Barnett was sitting in the driver's side seat when he was shot earlier in the afternoon — hours before his body was found.
Police are asking anyone who was in the area or saw something suspicious to reach out to Detective Jesus Soria at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Jesus.SoriaJr@indy.gov.
Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 or (TIPS).
Indianapolis hasn't had a break from the violence so far this month. IMPD reports they've seen an increase in homicides since Oct. 1.
As of Sunday, there have been 14 homicides this month, which averages out to more than one homicide a day.
In 2021, Indianapolis ended the month of October with 34 homicides.
Although the homicide numbers seem high so far, the overall numbers year to date are actually more than 14% lower than last year. However, If these numbers don't slow down, we could revisit those numbers again.
With two months left in the year, the current total number of homicides is 179. The total number of homicides in 2021 was 272.
Police say there's no one reason for the increase in gun violence but, no matter the circumstances, firing a weapon should be a last resort.
"That's going to affect a whole family. Whether this is a mom, dad, son, or daughter so many people are impacted by the death of one person," Sgt. Genae Cook of IMPD said.
IMPD said the key to decreasing these numbers is focusing on conflict resolution and communication to solve problems.