On the evening of April 3, 2017, 23-year-old Lonneisha Wellington was returning to her apartment on Meadows Drive in Indianapolis with her husband, Alexis Wellington, and their two young children. While carrying groceries into the stairwell at the Phoenix Apartments, the family was confronted by an assailant who demanded the groceries and then opened fire. Lonneisha pushed the children under the stairs to protect them and was fatally shot; her husband suffered multiple critical gunshot wounds. The children were physically unharmed.

Indianapolis Metro Police charged 21-year-old Damarcus Jackson with murder, attempted murder, and robbery in connection with the attack. At trial one of the Wellington children reportedly identified Jackson as the person who confronted the family and fired the shots; the jury nevertheless returned a not guilty verdict on all counts. Lonneisha’s death remains a tragic loss for her family and community.

If anyone knew Lonneisha, saw the Phoenix Apartments stairwell that night, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.