INDIANAPOLIS — A man accused of fatally shooting a woman in October on the city's east side has been arrested, police said Monday.
Homicide detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Johnny Viverette Jr. on Friday, according to a news release.
Viverette Jr., 32, is accused of killing Sara Blackwood, 39, on Oct. 11 in the 2600 block of East Washington Street as she walked home from work.
Viverette Jr. has been charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.
"We will carefully examine any evidence that may suggest the possibility that this is bias motivated," Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. "Our office is sensitive to the discrimination that often targets members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we will continue to seek justice on behalf of all Hoosiers."
According to court documents, Viverette's car was seen on surveillance video from businesses near the scene of the shooting and he was seen confronting Blackwood. One of the cameras captured a flash when Blackwood was shot.
At the time of her death, the Human Rights Commission noted Blackwood, who was transgender, was at least the 33rd transgender or gender non-conforming person to be violently killed this year in the United States.
Anyone with information about the shooting should contact the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
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