In what should have been a solemn gathering for a family in mourning, a simmering domestic dispute erupted into a fatal act of violence, claiming the life of Alan Jermaine Turman. A 42-year-old Black male, Turman was at the Oasis of Hope Baptist Church in Indianapolis on November 5, 2022, to support his wife, Shannon Turman, during the funeral of her mother.
He was serving as a pallbearer, a final act of respect that would tragically precede his own untimely death.
The tragic turn of events began with the uninvited arrival of Stefen Lowe, the 35-year-old ex-husband of Shannon Turman. Witnesses reported that Lowe’s presence was immediately a point of contention. There was a history of domestic issues, and Shannon had an active protective order against her ex-husband. Jermaine Turman confronted Lowe in the church parking lot, asking him to leave the private family service. The request led to a heated argument and a physical altercation that was broken up by other mourners.
Following the initial confrontation, Lowe returned to his vehicle. Instead of leaving the premises, he drove up to where Jermaine Turman was standing with his own mother and fired at least two shots, striking Turman in the chest. The shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m., and despite the efforts of medics who arrived at the scene, Jermaine Turman was pronounced dead. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department quickly identified Stefen Lowe as the suspect, and he was arrested shortly after the shooting.
Stefen Lowe was subsequently charged in connection with the death of Alan Turman. Initially facing a murder charge, Lowe eventually entered into a plea agreement. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and invasion of privacy. Following the plea deal, Lowe was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting that turned a day of mourning into a scene of a violent crime. The incident left a profound impact on the family, who had been planning a wedding reception for Jermaine and Shannon just a week after the funeral.
