On the evening of December 3, 2021, law enforcement officials in Indianapolis, Indiana, were called to a violent scene in a residential neighborhood on the city’s east side. Derek Ramon Collier, a 48-year-old Black male, was found suffering from a traumatic injury on the sidewalk near the 2900 block of East 19th Street. The incident occurred around 9:00 p.m., drawing a response from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department after reports of a shooting in the area.
Upon arrival,
first responders discovered that the victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite the immediate presence of emergency personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Marion County Coroner’s Office subsequently identified the victim and ruled the death a homicide. The location of the shooting was a neighborhood near North Rural Street, an area where police focused their initial canvassing efforts to gather evidence and witness statements.
As the investigation unfolded, detectives from the IMPD Homicide Office worked to establish a motive and identify those responsible. Public appeals were made urging anyone with knowledge of the event to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana, allowing for anonymous tips. Despite these efforts, reports following the incident indicated that no suspects had been identified and no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting. The case remained open as investigators continued to seek leads that could result in criminal charges.
Derek Collier, known affectionately to friends and family as "AD" or "Another Day," was a long-time resident of Indianapolis, having moved there from Highland Park, Michigan, in 1979. He had attended Indianapolis Public Schools and worked as a certified forklift operator at MicroMetl. Friends remembered him for his distinct laugh and willingness to help neighbors, often quoting his favorite phrases like "handle dat." He left behind a grieving family, including his mother, several children, and grandchildren, who mourned the sudden and violent loss of their loved one.
