INDIANAPOLIS — Data from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows the number of homicides and non fatal shootings is down from this time in 2021, but there have been more than 140 homicides so far in 2022.
City leaders joined members of the Far Eastside community Saturday for the annual Peace Walk and anti-violence community day.
The event provides resources that can help address poverty, domestic violence and other issues that many say are the root causes of violence in their community.
"I made the Peace Walk today in honor of my older two children who I lost in 2019 while they were getting ready for school in our apartment. Nicholas Nelson, who was 16 at the time he left, and Ashlynn Nelson, who was 15 at the time she left," Antonia Bailey said.
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Howard Graves lives on the Far Eastside and walked in memory of his cousin, Wilbur Morton.
"[He was] affectionately known as Chief ... I love him so much. I miss him so much," Graves said.
City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson participates in the walk each year. She talked to WRTV about Temario Stokes Jr., who died this week after being shot while walking to a bus stop in Greenwood.
"[He] thought he was going to school. Somebody walked up and shot him. Those are the things. Those are the triggers. That's the why," Jackson said. "But it's the how. How do we do it? How do we stop it?"
RELATED: 2022 Indianapolis Homicide Map
Graves says there's still work to be done and people need to be met where they are. Bailey shared a similar message — everyone is needed.
"Your future is so bright and so important and if you don't stop, you won't be able to see how much you can make an impact on the lives of those you love," Bailey said.
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Two 19-year-old males found shot dead on north side of Indianapolis
Two men were found fatally shot on the north side of Indianapolis on Sunday morning. This follows a violent weekend in the city, with five fatalities from separate shootings reported.
One dead, one injured in shooting at Thatcher Park
A shooting at Thatcher Park, on Indy's west side, left one person dead and another person critically injured Saturday evening, police said.
2 dead in triple shooting on Indy's east side; 2 charged
Three people were shot on the east side of Indianapolis on Saturday, with two listed in critical condition. Police said two suspects have been taken into custody.
Two people were shot on the northwest side of Indianapolis
Officers were dispatched to the area of 3924 Lafayette Road on the report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers found two victims with gunshot wounds.
