In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 17, 2021, the life of 29-year-old Justin White was tragically cut short in Indianapolis. Officers responded to a call of a person shot at approximately 2:55 a.m. and discovered White in the parking lot of a business located at 2900 S. Keystone Avenue. He had sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services.
The investigation into the male's death led homicide detectives to identify
21-year-old Tavon Macklin as a person of interest. The pursuit of Macklin culminated in a dramatic encounter on February 23, 2021. Members of the IMPD SWAT team had been tracking Macklin and attempted to stop a vehicle he was occupying. The car fled, and when officers used their own vehicle to end the pursuit, Macklin allegedly exited the passenger side and opened fire on the officers. Seven officers returned fire, striking Macklin and leaving him in critical condition. He was transported to a hospital and his condition was later stabilized. A firearm was recovered at the scene of the officer-involved shooting.
Following the arrest of Macklin, the investigation continued, leading to a second suspect. On March 4, 2021, police arrested 21-year-old John Ziegler for his alleged role in Justin White's death. Both Ziegler and Macklin faced charges of murder and robbery in connection with the incident. Ziegler was also linked to a string of other robberies. Ultimately, John Ziegler pleaded guilty to murder and received a 45-year sentence for his involvement in White's killing. Tavon Macklin was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the murder of Justin White. This sentence is to be served consecutively with a 58-year sentence he received for another murder that occurred in February 2021.
