IMPD: Man found shot to death on city’s far east side

LATEST: A police report identifies Jaylin Darran Smith, 23, as the man found fatally shot.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The death of a man found shot early Thursday morning on the city’s east side was being investigated as a homicide, police said.

Just after midnight, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called to a report of shots fired in the 3600 block of Wittfield Street. That’s a residential area off 36th Street just south of North Post Road and East 38th Street.

Police arrived and found cracks in the backs of several houses in the area, indicating the homes may have been hit by gunfire.

Officers searched a house that had its front door open but didn’t find anyone inside. Blood spatter found nearby indicated to officers that someone had been shot, IMPD Capt. Mark McCardin told News 8 at the scene.

Police continued their search and found 23-year-old Jaylin Smith unresponsive nearby. He had been shot at least once and was pronounced dead at the scene.

IMPD homicide detectives were looking into what happened. No arrests have been made and IMPD did not share details on any possible suspects.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Christopher Higgins by calling the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at Christopher.Higgins@indy.gov. Anonymous tips can also be made with Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.