Sara Blackwood, a 39-year-old transgender woman, was walking home from her shift at a Long John Silver's in Indianapolis on the night of October 11, 2020, when her life was tragically cut short. She was found shot on East Washington Street and rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The incident was initially reported with some confusion, as early media and police reports misgendered her, an injustice that was later corrected through the efforts of her friends and community.
In the days following the shooting, details emerged about Sara's life. She was described by friends and co-workers as a shy, kind, and responsible person who loved anime. She had been in a long-term domestic partnership and was a beloved member of her community. Her death sent ripples of fear and outrage through the local LGBTQ+ community, occurring on National Coming Out Day and marking another violent death of a transgender person in what was already a deadly year for the community.
The investigation into Sara Blackwood's murder led to the arrest of Johnny Viverette Jr. the following month. Investigators utilized video footage from nearby businesses to identify Viverette as the suspect. He was subsequently charged with murder, felony murder, robbery, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, as Sara's purse, phone, and other belongings were missing from the scene. While prosecutors acknowledged the possibility of a bias motivation and remained sensitive to the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the primary charges focused on the act of violence and robbery.
Ultimately, Johnny Viverette pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. As a result of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 55 years in prison, with 45 years to be served in the Indiana Department of Correction, followed by two years of probation. The resolution of the case brought a measure of closure to Sara's family, friends, and the community that mourned her senseless death.
