INDIANAPOLIS — A balloon release and prayer vigil were held Monday evening for a man Indianapolis peacekeeper John "JB" Barnett Sr.
"God, I ask that you touch and bless every one of his children, God. To continue to let his legacy, life, and name ring throughout this city for eternity, God,” Antonio Patton said in prayer.
"I just want to find justice for my daddy. He was a good man and did not deserve this," Anyae Barnett, JB’s daughter said.
On Saturday, June 25, around 10 p.m., Barnett was shot and killed at the Phillips 66 gas station on North Keystone Avenue.
"I come by here every day, and it's tough to look over there now to think that was the final resting place for him," Inga Spells said.
A month later and his family is still left with many unanswered questions.
"Keep his name alive. We don't have any answers to what happened," Deborah Black-Ford, JB's mother said. "And we just want to keep it out there that we need help, we need tips, we need somebody to come forward."
"We don't want this to be another statistic in some official record book that says this is another incident of crime happening in a particular part of the city," Alford Ford, JB's stepfather said. "JB was much more than that."
Barnett was a peacekeeper for the City of Indianapolis, helping teens through the city's safe summer program at Riverside Park. He devoted his life to making a difference in the community for many generations to come.
The investigation is still ongoing and being led by Detective Larry Craciunoiu. Anyone with information is asked to call him at 317-327-3475 or email him at Larry.Craciunoiu@indy.gov.
Barnett’s mother is raising money to hire a private investigator to assist in the case.
-
From outings to electronics: How Americans are honoring dads this Father’s Day
Father’s Day spending is projected to reach an all-time high as many families prepare for celebrations, gifts, and outings to honor dads across the country.Shooting on Indy's near west side leaves 19-year-old man dead
A shooting on the near west side of Indianapolis has left one man dead on Friday, according to IMPD.DHS offers cash incentives for self-deportation of nationals from 4 nations
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning to foreign nationals, urging them to self-deport or risk facing forced removal from the U.S.Jim Irsay to be inducted into Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor
The late Jim Irsay, Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, will be posthumously inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor during the home opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 7.