Neighbors fed up with violence after 52-year-old man killed
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – People in a west side neighborhood said they’re fed up with a pattern of violence after police found a 52-year-old man killed at his home around 1 a.m. Tuesday.
It happened in the 300 block of South Mickley Avenue, near Rockville Road and South Lynhurst Drive.
Officers initially described the crime as a possible home invasion, but later said it was unclear what exactly led up to the murder. A coroner’s report said the victim, James Thornton, died of multiple blunt force traumatic injuries.
Daniel Fliskov works across the street from the murder scene.
“It’s really frustrating to see what this world has come to lately,” Fliskov said. “You really hope for peace and all that, but in these types of neighborhoods, you really don’t get to see it that much anymore.”
A memorial sits across the street from Thornton’s home for 16-year-old Juan Romero-Sanchez, shot and killed in the neighborhood last year.
Just down the street, in the same neighborhood, police said someone shot and killed a woman last month.
“It doesn’t surprise me, really,” Fliskov said.
Thornton is the city’s 148th murder victim this year, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Last year was the deadliest year in the city’s history with 149 murders.
“This is a big deal. This is a loss of life,” IMPD Patrol Officer Aaron Hamer, a public affairs spokesman, said. “It is absolutely frustrating to see that number on the rise. It’s our city, so we take it personally.”
Police have not released a suspect description. They said they are actively seeking tips.
Fliskov is hoping the violence will stop. But he’s not counting on it.
“It’s not necessarily easy to get a job out here and a lot of people are resorting to violence to support their families,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
