On New Year's Day 2024, the city of Indianapolis was marked by a tragic event that claimed the life of a dedicated public servant. Justin D. Boyd, a 45-year-old Black male, was found deceased in a crashed pickup truck near the intersection of Michigan Road and Grandview Drive. Boyd, an engineer with the Indianapolis Fire Department, was discovered alongside another victim, 42-year-old Jasmine Ivy-Dede.
Both had sustained gunshot wounds.
Lovingly known as 'JB,' Justin Boyd had been a respected member of the Indianapolis Fire Department for a decade, serving on Ladder 6 B Shift. Beyond his commitment to the fire service, he was a co-owner of the Universal Barbershop, a youth football coach, and an active member of the Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association. His colleagues and community remembered him as a compassionate and humorous individual, a 'big teddy bear' who was always willing to help others. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly led to an arrest. Jason Lapsley, the 52-year-old half-brother of Justin Boyd, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with two counts of murder. According to police reports, Lapsley provided a confusing account of the events, claiming he had fallen asleep in the back of Boyd's truck. He alleged that he awoke believing he was being carjacked and, in a state of panic, shot both Boyd and Ivy-Dede from behind. Following the shooting, Lapsley reportedly contacted 911 and confessed to a family member, stating, 'I didn't want to do it, but I got them both.'
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office formally filed murder charges against Jason Lapsley in connection with the deaths of Justin Boyd and Jasmine Ivy-Dede. In the wake of the tragic loss, the Indianapolis Fire Department expressed profound grief over the death of their esteemed colleague, remembering his decade of dedicated service and his positive impact on the community. A jury trial for Lapsley was scheduled for March of the same year.
