In what should have been a solemn gathering for a funeral, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace outside an Indianapolis church on the morning of March 21, 2026, leaving one man dead and another critically wounded. The deceased was identified as Martez Starks, a 42-year-old man. The incident unfolded just before 10 a.m. outside the Antioch Baptist Church, located in the 700 block of East 32nd Street, as mourners were arriving for a funeral service.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police
Department officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a person shot. Upon their arrival, they discovered two men with gunshot wounds. Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but Starks later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, also a man, remained in critical condition. The shooting took place while a funeral for another individual was underway inside the church, adding a layer of tragedy and shock for the grieving family and community.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not yet released any information about a potential suspect or suspects. Investigators were still gathering evidence and seeking information from the public. The brazen nature of the shooting, occurring in broad daylight during a funeral, has left the community shaken.
Family and friends of Martez Starks are left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of their loved one. The investigation into his death is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Office or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
