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Aftermath of weekend violence continues with vigil for 2 murder victims

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Church leaders are lending their support to another grieving family in the wake of this weekend’s gun violence.

For the second straight night, family and friends gathered at the very spot where people were killed over Indy’s violent weekend. This time it was for 25-year-old Robert Johnson and 37-year-old Mark Craig Jr.

They were found dead in a car near 25th Street and Shriver Avenue early Sunday morning.

IMPD didn’t have any suspect information or motive as of Tuesday afternoon, but Johnson’s family is trusting that police will find those responsible.

“We need you, Lord, we need you right now, heavenly father,” Pastor Charles Ellis prayed at the vigil.

His words and the grief and pain on the faces of the people at the vigil have been seen and heard across the city.

“This is just breaking out hearts, continuing to have to do these kind of prayer vigils,” said Rev. Charles Harrison.

“His death was senseless,” said Johnson’s mother, Helen Williams. “They didn’t rob him, they didn’t take anything from him, they just took his life.”

Williams wanted to do a vigil last night for her son. She reached out to Rev. Harrison for help, but the Ten Point Coalition already had another commitment.

“That’s what’s so tragic. Yesterday we was asked to be a part of the [vigil for the] 18-year-old that was killed,” he said.

Eighteen-year-old Anthony Morris was another victim of Indy’s violent weekend. Six people total were killed from Friday to Monday.

“You just keep wishing that people will handle their differences and conflicts in different ways other than gun violence,” said Harrison.

That message wasn’t lost on the group praying at the vigil.

“The violence just needs to stop, just needs to stop,” emphasized Joseph Fields, one of Johnson’s friends. He described as the type of person who would give you his last dollar if he had it.

Anyone with information that could help police locate a suspect in the case can call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS(8477).

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