IMPD investigating second homicide at same home in 1 month

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide on the east side of Indianapolis after a man was found decomposing outside a home near 34th and Emerson.

Police are still investigating exactly what led to the man being shot and left for dead in the backyard of the home in the 3400 block of N. Leland Avenue at around 3:24 p.m. on Monday.

The death marks the second homicide at this same address in just the last month.

The front door of the home on Leland avenue was boarded and locked up.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, police found a man shot to death in the overgrown backyard.

The victim was in a state of decomposition and police said they were not sure how long he had been dead before being discovered.

That homicide took place just more than four weeks after 57-year-old Michael Edwards was shot and killed sitting in a pickup truck while parked in front of the same home.

“It’s concerning and while we don’t know yet if the two are connected, detectives are going to be exploring that possibility,” IMPD Officer Drew Brown said.

After the homicide in late August, neighbors told police the home was a problem property.

“Neighbors tell us this is a troubled house the truck is parked in front of,” IMPD captain John Arvin said on Aug. 29. “The house is known to be for squatters.”

Neighbors reiterated those concerns again this week.

While some of the windows are covered with plywood, another was shattered with a bullet hole.

The property does appear to be abandoned, yet neighbors say it still poses a safety risk.

In late September, murder charges were filed against 32-year-old Thomas Mason in relation to the August homicide.

Court records claim the victim owed Mason money. As part of the investigation, witnesses reportedly spoke up, helping identify Mason as the alleged killer.

Police hope they get the same assistance with the latest homicide.

“We can’t do this alone. Our detectives work around the clock, but we need from the community. Help us help you,” Brown said. “Hopefully it will lead to an arrest which is what we saw in the similar incident a month ago.”

Anyone with information about Monday’s incident should call Detective Douglas Morning at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Douglas.Morning@indy.gov .

Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

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