In the early hours of Sunday, April 12, 2026, 33-year-old Rachael Lynn Rakes was killed by gunfire in a home on the west side of Indianapolis. Police were called to the 800 block of Westbrook Avenue at about 12:30 a.m.; they found a man on the front porch who had been shot multiple times and Rakes inside the residence suffering gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a local hospital, and Rakes was later pronounced dead while the man, her father, remained in critical condition.

Friends described Rakes as a mother of three who was known and loved in her community and immediately suspected the shooting was domestic violence involving a man she had been in a relationship with. Investigators identified 39-year-old Javon Cushenberry as the suspect and said the attack appeared targeted. A reward was offered for information leading to his capture, and on the evening of April 16 community tips led to his arrest outside a business in the 6500 block of West Washington Street, where a gun was recovered on his person.

Records reported during the investigation show Cushenberry had prior arrests for domestic violence, past methamphetamine charges, and a conviction about two decades earlier for attempted murder, for which he served eight years. If anyone knew Rachael or has information about the shooting, please share what can help the ongoing case.