Anti-violence activist Ron Gee fatally shot on Indianapolis' east side

INDIANAPOLIS — Prominent community activist and restaurant owner Ron Gee was fatally shot Thursday morning, his family has confirmed.

Ronald G. Frieson, 39, (publicly known as Ron Gee) was shot and killed just before 11 a.m. at a Citgo gas station at 38th Street and Arlington Avenue . When officers arrived they found Gee still in a Chevrolet Tahoe. Details about what led to the shooting were not immediately released. Just before 5 p.m., police announced they did not have a suspect in custody or anyone detained tied to the shooting.

"I talked to him literally less than 24 hours ago," said fellow activist Dee Ross. "That's my closest friend. We grew up together on the east side. For so long it was just me and him doing things for the community. This just feels like a dark cloud over Indianapolis."

The last thing they spoke about was de-escalation and trying to figure out more tangible solutions to the problem of violence.

"Enough is enough," Ross said. “This violence is out of control. When you’re taking community leaders from their families and their neighborhoods ... I feel like I’m surrounded by death.”

A fiercely outspoken advocate against gun violence in Indianapolis, Gee was a local fixture at crime scenes and vigils to offer condolences and speak to affected neighbors. He founded Cease Fire Indy , a nonprofit that aims to curb shootings in the city. In 2021, during the bloodiest year in Indianapolis history, he and other members called for a 72-hour ceasefire over the Halloween weekend.

City Councilor Keith Graves, whose district covers the area of the shooting, said Gee was like a brother.

"I am heartbroken," Graves said. "He was well-respected and loved by so many, and I am devastated that he died from the very violence he dedicated his life to fighting against. Ron wanted better for our community."

Gee also was the owner of 1313 Eatery alongside his brother. The eatery served as headquarters for Cease Fire Indy.

A fire that destroyed most of the building forced the restaurant to close in November 2023, and reopened at 5299 E. 38th St and a delivery-only option to Anderson.

Della Brown who works with the Gun Violence Reduction Program for the city's Indy Peace Fellowship said that their team was called to the scene.

"I didn't know it would be someone that I was close with," Brown said. "It's a huge loss to the city of Indianapolis. We were planning an event for gun violence victims just yesterday. Today, it's heartbreaking and it's just a reminder that no one is exempt from this type of violence."

Brown said she is trying to gather her thoughts on his loss.

Having a community leader who worked to fight violence be gunned down doesn't make sense to her.

"But I'm still hopeful," Brown said. "Because he was. I know he would be. He used to say, 'Spread love and steal hugs.' That's what he preached. For the whole city, he would always tell everybody there's no strangers. We're all family."

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Contact Jade Jackson at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON .

IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson can be reached at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Anti-violence activist Ron Gee fatally shot on Indianapolis' east side