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Police looking for suspect in fatal shooting outside Persian Temple

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police are asking for the public’s help finding the suspect in a fatal shooting outside of a memorial dinner last month.

Kirk Shurill, 38, was shot and killed inside a vehicle on Sept. 30 outside the Persian Temple #46 on East 23rd Street while attending a dinner in honor of Keith Williams, who was killed in a shooting on Sept. 20 near 10th Street and Grant Avenue.

Police responding to the scene found Shurill suffering from at least one gunshot wound in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that had crashed into another car occupied by an off-duty police officer.

Shurill was transported to Methodist Hospital, where he later died.

MAP | 2017 Indianapolis Homicides

On Wednesday, Marion County prosecutors filed a charge of murder against 43-year-old Jeffery R. Buckley in connection with Shurill’s murder.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, witnesses told police Shurill was burning out the tires of a vehicle in the Persian Temple’s parking lot to “make smoke for Keith (Williams)” when Buckley walked up to the car and told him he was being disrespectful.

Witnesses told police Buckley placed his hands on the car’s open window and leaned inside, at which point Shurill allegedly drove off with Buckley still in the window.

Witnesses then described a flurry of action. Onlookers told police they heard shots fired from Buckley shooting at Shurill. At the same time, they said, Shurill reached for something under his seat. One witness told police they thought they heard Shurill laughing as he reached under the seat.

The car Shurill was driving then struck a white car occupied at the time by an off-duty William’s Creek Police Department Officer who was working security.

Witnesses told police Buckley then reached through the open passenger side window and fired several more shots toward Shurill.

As Buckley fled the scene, according to witnesses, another man ran up to the car, grabbed a handgun from under the driver’s seat and fired multiple times at Buckley.

Shurill was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

On Thursday, Crime Stoppers issued a release asking for the public’s help in locating Buckley.

Buckley is described as a black male standing 5’9” tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Buckley’s whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS. Your call may remain anonymous.

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