In the early morning hours of October 19, 2025, a night out with friends in downtown Terre Haute, Indiana, turned tragic for 23-year-old Skyleen M. Ross. A Black/African American woman, Ross was shot and killed near the entrance of a parking garage in the 600 block of Wabash Avenue. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. after Ross and her friends had left The Verve nightclub.
Skyleen, known for her friendly personality and sweet, loving heart, was described by investigators as an
innocent bystander. She had been a member of the Terre Haute Torpedoes swim club, loved drawing and painting, and was pursuing a career as a Radiology Technician, having attended St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and Ivy Tech Community College. At the time of her death, she was a dedicated employee at a Casey's in Clinton, IN.
Following the sound of a single gunshot, off-duty West Terre Haute police officers who were nearby rushed to the scene and found Ross with a gunshot wound to her chest. Despite their life-saving efforts, she did not survive. Friends who were with her recounted that their small group was walking when the shot was fired, and Ross collapsed.
Within hours, detectives identified a suspect, 23-year-old Javon T. Wilson of Terre Haute. Wilson, who was part of the group of friends, had also sustained a gunshot wound to his hand during the incident. According to witnesses, Wilson was showing the group a gun and, when asked by Ross if it was loaded, he allegedly said it was not. Shortly after, the gun discharged, with the single round striking both Wilson and Ross.
Wilson was taken into custody and faced a preliminary charge of reckless homicide. It was later reported that at the time of the shooting, Wilson was out on bond for a separate gun-related case. He had prior arrests in 2025 for criminal recklessness and domestic battery. Wilson was treated for his hand injury at a local hospital before being transported to the Vigo County Jail.
