19-Year-Old Muslim Man Killed During Shooting on Indy’s Northwest Side

19-Year-Old Muslim Man Killed During Shooting on Indy’s Northwest Side

INDIANAPOLIS — Police continue to search for a killer after a 19-year-old was shot to death on the northwest side of Indianapolis earlier this month.

The victim was shot to death while sitting in his car in a parking spot along Lafayette Road Friday afternoon.

With police close enough to hear the gunfire, officials responded within minutes. However, 19-year-old Aliou Barry died on scene.

Barry is being mourned by members of the Muslim community.

“It is very unfortunate. Words cannot express what the community has gone through,” said Basiru Jallow with the Al-Hikmah Islamic Center.

On Monday, the Indianapolis Muslim Community Association said they were saddened by Barry’s death.

A Muslim prayer service was hosted at a place of worship along 57th Street, where Barry worshipped since he was young.

“Ever since he was 5 to 7 years old, he started learning the Quran, the Islamic holy book,” said Jallow.

“I want to emphasize we have a family that is grieving,” said IMPD officer Drew Brown.

While the case remains an active investigation, IMPD said on scene Friday that the motive for the homicide remained a mystery.

“It’s unclear what the circumstances are that led to this, but we have a neighbor here in Indianapolis who lost his life to preventable circumstances,” said Brown.

“It is more important today than it has ever been for all of us to come together and tackle gun violence in the city of Indianapolis,” said Jallow.

A few flowers and a teddy bear have been laid in the parking lot where Barry died.

Those who knew the victim say the killing is a reminder to everyone in the community to help solve the case and prevent future violence.

“It is important for all of us to come together. These are the future generations. We don’t want the future to be lost this way,” said Jallow. “This is not something just the adults or youths can resolve by themselves, but it is a community effort where we can all come together and find solutions.”

So far, no arrests have been made in the case.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective David Agresta at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or e-mail the detective at David.agresta2@indy.gov.

Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 to remain anonymous.