On the west side of Indianapolis, a fatal encounter unfolded on December 12, 2020, forever altering the lives of two men. Kenneth 'Kenny' Batts Jr., a 28-year-old male, was found deceased inside a car in the 6300 block of Maidstone Road, near West 46th Street and North High School Road. The grim discovery was made by police officers who were responding to reports of gunfire in the area.
An investigation revealed that Batts had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
The tragic event cut short the life of a man known for his energetic and outgoing personality. Born on June 30, 1992, Kenny was described as the life of the party, someone who made friends with ease and was always ready to make people laugh. He had a passion for basketball, having played on the varsity team at The Metropolitan High School. At the time of his death, he was a father to three children, Kenneth LaMont Batts III, KaNiyah LaShae Batts, and King Li’Rico Batts. His passing was a profound loss for his mother, Nicole Batts Alvis, and a large extended family of grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The investigation into Kenny Batts's death quickly focused on a single suspect, Kevin Penelton of Indianapolis. Security footage from the scene proved to be a critical piece of evidence, capturing the moments that led to the fatal shooting. The video showed both Batts and Penelton arriving at the location. Penelton was then seen approaching Batts's vehicle while holding a firearm. A brief altercation occurred between the two men, which culminated in Batts being shot.
Following the investigation, Kevin Penelton was arrested and charged with the murder of Kenneth Batts Jr. After a two-day trial in July 2023, a jury found Penelton guilty of murder and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 63 years in prison for his role in the death of Kenny Batts.
