David Gladney

David Gladney, a 54-year-old Black man, was a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on May 25, 1968. Those who knew him, including friends and family, were left to mourn his sudden and violent death in the spring of 2023. His loved ones gathered to remember him a month after his passing, holding a visitation and a Celebration of Life service in his honor.

On the evening of Monday, April 17, 2023, tragedy struck on the east side of Indianapolis. Just after 6:30 p.m., officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were dispatched to a gas station located at 3410 N. Emerson Avenue. There, they found David Gladney suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and quickly transported him to IU Health Methodist Hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Gladney succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Homicide detectives began an immediate investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. Their preliminary findings suggested that the shooting did not occur at the gas station where Gladney was found, but rather originated from a different location. Investigators believe the actual shooting took place in the 2800 block of North Stuart Avenue, a residential area situated a short, five-minute drive southeast of the gas station. Police theorized that the shooting was the result of a disturbance or altercation between Gladney and at least one other unknown individual on Stuart Avenue before he somehow made his way to the Emerson Avenue gas station.

The Marion County Coroner's Office formally identified the victim as David Gladney and confirmed the cause of death was a homicide resulting from his gunshot wounds. The IMPD publicly shared the information and asked for the community's help in solving the case. They have not released any information about a potential suspect or suspects and no arrests have been made.

In the days following the shooting, the IMPD continued to process evidence and seek out witnesses. They urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward. Detective Chris Craighill of the IMPD Homicide Office was assigned as the lead investigator on the case. The department provided his direct contact information, encouraging people to reach out to him by phone at 317-327-3475 or via email at [email protected].

A funeral service for David Gladney was held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Sprowl Funeral & Cremation Care facility on West 30th Street in Indianapolis. Family and friends gathered for a visitation period, followed by a Celebration of Life service to honor his memory. The family requested prayers during their time of immense grief.

The investigation into David Gladney's murder remains open and active. As of the latest available information, authorities are still working to identify the person or people responsible for his death and to understand the motive behind the fatal disturbance on North Stuart Avenue. There is no word of any reward being offered for information leading to an arrest. Police continue to ask the public for assistance in bringing justice to David Gladney and his family.