Jasmine S. Moore, a 28-year-old Black woman, was a loving mother who had recently followed her dreams to graduate from cosmetology school in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born on January 3, 1989, she had returned to her hometown of Indianapolis to celebrate her young son's birthday. Her mother, Stephanie Tinnin, remembered her as an "awesome mother, sister, niece, cousin," adding that "everybody loved my daughter, the whole city loved my daughter." Jasmine was a talented basketball player in her youth, playing guard for Morgan Park High School in Chicago and later for the University of Southern Indiana.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 9, 2017, Jasmine was on the west side of Indianapolis. At about 3:30 a.m., as people were leaving the Sunset Strip Gentlemen’s Club, a dispute broke out between two groups in cars near the 1400 block of North Tremont Street.
Gunfire erupted, and Jasmine, who was on the sidewalk outside the nearby Long's Bakery, was struck by at least one bullet. Her family believes she was an innocent bystander and not the intended target of the shooting. First responders found her critically wounded and transported her to IU Health Methodist Hospital, but she did not survive her injuries. The Marion County Coroner's Office later officially identified her as the victim.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) launched a homicide investigation into Jasmine's death. In the immediate aftermath, detectives sought to obtain surveillance video from businesses in the area, hoping the footage could help them identify the individuals who fired the shots. Police did not release any information about potential suspects or a motive. They urged anyone with information to contact the IMPD Homicide Office or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.
The tragedy surrounding Jasmine's death was compounded by more violence less than two weeks later. On the afternoon of July 20, 2017, during her funeral procession at Sutherland Park Cemetery on the city's north side, another shooting occurred. As a horse-drawn carriage carried Jasmine's casket, gunfire rang out, causing mourners to scatter. Three people were wounded in the attack, including Richard Grundy III, who was reportedly the leader of the 'Grundy Crew' gang. He was shot multiple times but survived. Police recovered at least 20 shell casings at the cemetery, and bullets struck nearby homes and cars.
The shooting at the funeral drew condemnation from community leaders. Rev. Charles Harrison of the Indy Ten Point Coalition called it a "heinous act that cannot be tolerated" and a "senseless act of violence." He pleaded with the community to stand united against the violence plaguing the streets of Indianapolis and for anyone with information to come forward.
In the years that have passed since Jasmine Moore was killed, her case has grown cold. There have been no public announcements of arrests made or suspects identified in her murder. The investigation remains open with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Anyone with information about the shooting that took the life of Jasmine Moore is asked to call the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.
