In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Indianapolis, the life of 34-year-old Martel 'Chicago' Thomas was tragically cut short. On May 7, 2017, just before 8:00 a.m., a passerby discovered Thomas's body in an alley in the 1000 block of N. Rural Street on the city's northeast side and immediately alerted the authorities. When officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene near 10th and Rural Streets, they found that Thomas had sustained a fatal gunshot wound
and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the death of the male victim was swiftly taken over by IMPD Homicide detectives who began to piece together the events that led to his death. For months, detectives worked diligently on the case, seeking information from the public and pursuing leads to identify those responsible for the violent act that took Thomas's life. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation, with the option to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana anonymously.
A significant breakthrough in the case came in December of 2017 when, after collaboration between IMPD Homicide detectives and the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, a warrant was issued for the arrest of 21-year-old Dionte Owens for his role in the murder. The efforts of law enforcement culminated in the early morning hours of February 15, 2018, when officers with the IMPD Violent Crimes Unit, working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals task force, located and apprehended Owens in the 300 block of N. Oakland Avenue.
Following his death, Martel Thomas was remembered by his family and friends. His funeral service was held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Universal Ministries Worldwide. The arrest of Dionte Owens brought a measure of resolution to the investigation, with the IMPD acknowledging the vital role of community assistance in identifying and apprehending violent offenders.
