In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 28, 2018, a dispute inside the Sawmill Saloon on the east side of Indianapolis escalated into deadly violence. Deron Marqui Gray, a 24-year-old male, was shot and killed during the altercation. The incident, which resulted in a total of five people being shot, also claimed the life of another man, James Ratcliff.
Deron, an employee of Amazon, was remembered by his family and friends.
His funeral services were held on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at the Greater Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church, and he was buried in New Crown Cemetery.
Months later, on July 7, 2018, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested 32-year-old Jerrick Whitley in connection with the fatal shootings. Whitley was taken into custody at a house near 41st and Broadway Street. He was arrested on active warrants for murder, robbery, and dealing narcotics. Witnesses reported that the shooting at the bar, located near East 14th Street and North Sherman Drive, stemmed from a fight.
