In the summer of 2016, a violent series of events unfolded in Indianapolis, culminating in the death of 29-year-old Dajuan Mitchell. On the night of July 27th, police responded to a call of shots fired near East 44th Street and Ralston Avenue. Arriving at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau: three people inside a gray sedan, all suffering from gunshot wounds.
Inside the vehicle, 24-year-old Wesley Small was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dajuan Mitchell and a woman, later identified as Ashley Lewis, were found in critical condition and rushed to Eskenazi Health. Mitchell, a male, succumbed to his injuries the following day. The initial investigation left detectives with few leads, as the circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear and no suspects had been immediately identified.
As the investigation progressed, a complex and violent narrative began to emerge. Detectives learned that the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather the tragic end to a dispute rooted in other criminal activities. It was revealed that Mitchell and his girlfriend, 31-year-old Ashley Lewis, had sought out Wesley Small because they believed he was 'snitching' on Mitchell. Mitchell was a suspect in the fatal shooting of another man, Jason Byrd, which had occurred just two days prior to this incident.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on the night of the shooting, Mitchell, a convicted felon who was known to buy and sell guns, allegedly forced Small into their car at gunpoint. He then handed the weapon to Lewis. At some point during the confrontation, Small reportedly drew his own gun and a firefight erupted inside the vehicle. Small shot Lewis in the face and fatally wounded Mitchell. In the exchange of gunfire, Lewis admitted to firing back, ultimately killing Small.
On August 5, 2016, Ashley Lewis was arrested in connection with the deaths. Initially facing charges of voluntary manslaughter and criminal confinement, the charges were later upgraded to murder. She was held without bond pending her trial. The investigation brought to light the dangerous and often fatal consequences of street justice and illegal firearms.
