In the afternoon hours of a Sunday in Indianapolis, tragedy struck, claiming the life of 17-year-old Yonah Ben Jeffers-Telfair. On November 2, 2025, police were called to the 3800 block of Central Avenue, near 38th Street, around 3:15 p.m. following reports of a person shot. Upon their arrival, officers discovered two young men who had been shot outside of a residence.
One was found near a vehicle, and the other was inside it.
Both teenagers were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition, with authorities describing their injuries as 'grave' and not expected to be survivable. Yonah Ben Jeffers-Telfair succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. A second 17-year-old, Jontavion T. Davis, also died from the injuries he sustained in the same incident several days later.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the SWAT team was called to the scene based on information that an individual with potential involvement was inside a nearby home. That person later surrendered to the police without incident. Two individuals were initially taken into custody in connection with the shooting. However, both were subsequently released from custody pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
At this time, no arrests have been made in the case, and detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting, which they believe stemmed from some type of disturbance. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
