Shantell Marie Laster’s loved ones remember her for the shared laughter and lasting care she extended to others. Her life, full of cherished relationships, was cut short at the age of 28, leaving her family, friends, and the Indianapolis community to mourn a future that was taken away far too soon.
On the night of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Shantell, a young woman, was the passenger in a white Chevrolet Malibu.
Just before midnight, the car pulled up to a pump at a Marathon gas station at the corner of East 38th Street and North Oxford Avenue. The driver, a man in a red hoodie, went inside the convenience store, leaving Shantell alone in the front passenger seat. Moments later, a dark-colored truck pulled up behind the Malibu.
Surveillance video from the gas station captured what happened next. Two people got out of the truck, and one of them walked toward the front of the Chevrolet. That person opened fire, shooting multiple rounds into the car where Shantell was sitting. A cashier inside the station reported hearing seven or eight gunshots. The gunfire riddled the car, shattering the driver's side window and flattening the two front tires.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was called to the scene at approximately 11:45 p.m. for a report of a person shot. Officers found Shantell inside the vehicle with critical gunshot wounds. Medics arrived minutes later and rushed her to IU Methodist Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving. The Marion County Coroner’s Office later formally identified her.
Investigators with the IMPD quickly determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence. They believe Shantell was specifically targeted, though they have not released a possible motive or any information about the relationship between her and the assailants. Detectives recovered multiple shell casings scattered across the gas station lot. The neighborhood, located a few blocks east of North Keystone Avenue, was described by some residents as troubled, though they felt this level of violence was an anomaly.
The investigation into Shantell's murder is being handled by the IMPD Homicide Office. As of the latest reports in October 2026, no arrests had been made, and police had not released descriptions of the two people who exited the dark-colored truck. The case remains open and active.
Shantell's sudden and violent death was one of several homicides in Indianapolis that month, contributing to the ongoing concerns about violence in the city. While overall non-fatal shootings had reportedly seen a decline in 2026 compared to the previous year, her killing highlighted the persistent threat of fatal gun violence.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help to solve this case. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact IMPD Detective Christopher Williams at the Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
