In the early hours of Sunday, April 12, 2026, a shooting on the west side of Indianapolis claimed the life of 33-year-old Rachael Lynn Rakes and left her father critically injured. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the 800 block of Westbrook Avenue, near West Washington Street and Holt Road. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a report of a person shot and discovered Rachael's father with gunshot wounds on the front porch of a home.
Inside the residence, they found Rachael, who had also been shot. Both victims were transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where Rachael was later pronounced dead.
Friends of Rachael, a mother of three, described her as a woman who was known and loved by everyone. They believe the shooting was a result of domestic violence involving a man she was in a relationship with.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, prompting a search by law enforcement. On Thursday, April 16, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced that a suspect had been taken into custody. The apprehension was made possible by a community tip. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Javon Cushenberry, was located outside a business in the 6500 block of West Washington Street. A gun was found in his waistband at the time of his arrest.
Court records show that Javon Cushenberry has a significant criminal history, including a prior conviction for attempted murder for which he served eight years in prison. His record also includes arrests for domestic violence and methamphetamine charges. He also had a federal gun conviction and a 2025 conviction for methamphetamine.
