On the evening of October 5, 2021, a burst of gunfire at the Welcome Inn on North Shadeland Avenue in Indianapolis shattered the night and ended the lives of two men. When Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the motel around 10:30 p.m., they discovered two male victims with gunshot wounds. One man, 28-year-old Dailon Downing, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other, 33-year-old Aaron Christopher Edward Hamilton, was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. The Marion County Coroner's Office later confirmed that Hamilton and Downing were related.
Aaron Hamilton, born in Indianapolis on March 25, 1988, was known for his big heart and willingness to help others. He was a man of many talents, working as a self-contractor and skilled in various trades. He had a love for dogs and was actively involved with the Circle City Relief volunteering and outreach ministry. His death left behind a large family, including his seven children.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the investigation quickly began. A third man, who had arrived at Community East Hospital with a gunshot wound, was believed to be connected to the incident at the motel. Investigators interviewed several witnesses and were able to identify a person of interest in connection with the double homicide. However, despite these early leads, no arrests have been publicly announced in the case.
The motive for the shooting has not been released, and the circumstances leading up to the violence at the Welcome Inn remain unclear. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation into the deaths of Aaron Hamilton and Dailon Downing. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward and contact either the IMPD Homicide Office or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.
