On the evening of November 30, 2022, 21-year-old Jovan S. James, a Black/African American male, was found in the backyard of a residence on West 29th Street near Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Street in Indianapolis after a reported shooting at about 8 p.m. He had sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. The city recorded his death as the 202nd criminal homicide in Indianapolis for 2022.

James had survived two earlier shootings: one in July 2020 that wounded his leg and another in March 2021 that injured his chest. The neighborhood where he lived and was killed is described as struggling with persistent criminal activity. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects and no arrests have been announced; the investigation remains open and authorities have asked the public for information.

If anyone knew Jovan or has information about the shooting, please contact the IMPD Homicide Office or provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana?