IMPD arrests 2 men in connection with murder of 19-year-old
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indianapolis police announced the arrest Thursday of two 19-year-olds in connection with a March murder. Detectives believe the murder stemmed from money lost in a dice game.
IMPD arrested Devaughn Farmer and Diontae Evans this week. Police said they shot and killed 19-year-old DezJaun Lyle on March 5 in the 600 block of North Exeter Avenue. Detectives found Lyle’s body with gunshot wounds to both legs and his head.
According to a court document, police looked at a neighbor’s security video, talked to multiple witnesses and dug through cell phone records.
One source told police Evans admitted to the murder, the document said. Evans said he lost $1,200 to Lyle in a dice game and he wanted his money back, according to the source.
Lyle’s grandfather, Marcus Stewart, praised IMPD after the arrests.
“We’re definitely glad that justice prevailed,” Stewart said. “We’re hoping for a conviction.”
A memorial now sits near the spot where Lyle died. It includes flowers, a cross and the date of his murder spray painted on the sidewalk.
Paul Griffith doesn’t need any of that to remember March 5. He said he heard the shots from his house across the street.
“It’s just ridiculous,” Griffith said. “It kind of leaves you speechless. It really does.”
Griffith said he’s most upset that neighborhood children saw the flashing lights and crime tape.
“I just hope the kids, especially in this area, make better choices in what they’re doing,” he said. “Because right now, it’s looking bad for teenagers and young kids.”
City leaders said between January and June of this year, no murder suspects were younger than 18.