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Charges filed in death of woman found at CCB

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The driver of a truck that showed up at the CCB has been charged with one count of murder, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

A pickup truck, that was described to be riddled with bullet holes, drove to the CCB Feb. 11. A passenger, 20-year-old Azya Knowles had been shot and was a passenger in the vehicle.

Emergency crews rushed Knowles to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. She later died of her injuries.

Police took the driver, William Smith, in for questioning. He was originally charged with carrying a weapon by a violent felon.

According to court documents, police found a .38 handgun on the drivers seat, a spent .22 casing and a spent 38 casing. Police also recovered a cell phone, the victims purse and $29,000 in cash in a sock next to the driver’s seat.

Police say the truck did not appear to have bullet holes inside the truck or on the body. During later investigations it was believed that the truck’s glass was struck with a hammer-like object.

Smith told police that he was chased by several individuals who were shooting at his vehicle. He believed that Knowles was hit by one of the bullets. He told police the shooting occurred at Michigan and Lynn Streets. However, there was no physical evidence to prove Smith’s statements.

According to the probable cause, investigators believe that Knowles was shot inside the truck and no one was shooting at the truck from the outside.

IMPD still believes the shooting happened outside of downtown. They will continue to follow up on leads to determine the actual location.

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