INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has arrested a man in connection to Amanda Blackburn’s murder. Detectives arrested 18-year-old Larry Taylor late Sunday night.
In a release, IMPD said its Violent Crimes Unit, Gangs Unit and U.S. Marshals were involved in the arrest. IMPD said Taylor now faces a preliminary murder charge.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite released a statement overnight saying:
“We are thankful to our federal, state and local partnerships that aided in the apprehension of the suspect in this terrible and senseless crime. All victims of criminal homicides deserve closure, and as a community we must send a collective message that violence is not an option. Our detectives have worked tirelessly going days without sleep to solve murders in our city. With the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler and Prosecutor Terry Curry justice will be done!”
Sources within IMPD told 24-Hour News 8’s Julian Grace that Taylor was one of three men questioned last week, but he was later released.
Police also questioned 21-year-old Jalen Watson. He’s still in jail on an unrelated charge.
Blackburn, 28, the pregnant wife of pastor Davey Blackburn, was shot during a home invasion in Indianapolis Nov. 10 she later died at the hospital, according to police.
A photo of a suspect in the case was released last week.
Appearing on “Inside Edition” Thursday, Davey Blackburn begged the public for information that could help the investigation.
“If anybody is withholding information, we would beg them, please come forward,” he said.
On Monday, Davey released a statement in it he shares the three things he hopes to see in the weeks and months to come.
“Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda’s killer. The family and I couldn’t be more thankful for the level of compassion and professionalism the IMPD and investigators have shown us through the last couple of weeks. My hope is for three things in the weeks and months to come:
- That the court system would have wisdom on how to prosecute this man, so that no one else endures the pain Amanda and our family have had to endure because of his actions.
- That through all of this and although there will be great consequences for his actions, he would become truly sorry for what he has done and would even begin to experience the life-transforming power of the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.
- That Jesus would give me and our family a heart of forgiveness.
Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry, and slip into despair I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope. If there is one thing I’ve learned from Amanda in the 10 years we were together, it’s this: Choosing to let my emotions drive my decisions is recipe for a hopeless and fruitless life. Today I am deciding to love, not hate. Today I am deciding to extend forgiveness, not bitterness. Today I am deciding to hope, not despair. By Jesus’ power at work within us, the best is STILL yet to come. Even when I don’t see it, I believe it to be true.”
More than 2,000 people gathered at Amanda Blackburn’s celebration of life service.
