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Friday, March 29, 2024

Family, friends still seek ‘Justice4Dominique’

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Two months have passed since Indianapolis reeled with the news about the murder of 15-year-old Dominique Allen— a petite Ben Davis freshman who was strangled in an abandoned building, her body burned.

Although Allen remains unburied, her homicide unsolved, family members, friends and clergy say their faith remains unwavering that her killer or killers will be brought to justice.

“Yesterday was the two month point of our sister’s passing,” said Mareeka Allen, at a Saturday rally at School #75, 2447 W. 14th St. “We want to show everybody we are still trying to find out who did this to her.”

“We need to find the killer of Dominique and get this person off the street,” said Shenika Poindexter. “Whoever did this knows the area very well,” she added. “Haughville has some dark streets, Elder is one of them. It (killer) was not a child or a teenager.”

Members of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis were on hand to show support, and to send a message to Allen’s killer. “It’s cold out here. But when it’s cold, we’ll be here. When it rains, we’ll be here. When it snows, we’ll be here. Don’t think that you’ll get anyway with anything. We’re going to get you,” said Rev. Lionel Elder. The minister called upon “people who don’t always go to church” living in Haughville to speak out with any information that could assist police investigators.

Dominique’s family has shown remarkable determination, said Rev. C.L. Day, president of Concerned Clergy, who noted that he himself grew up in Haughville. “Meeting this family, they’re extraordinary,” he said, commented that Allen’s family wanted to protect others from experiencing their pain. “How can we make sure that this doesn’t happen to another girl or boy?”

On Saturday, the scene was peaceful at the shrine at the Elder Avenue location where Allen’s burned body was discovered Sunday, Aug. 31. Fallen leaves blanketed the ground around seven funeral wreaths, two candles, a glass vase, a bottle of Sprite and a stuffed bear left by mourners. Allen has not yet been laid to rest, but plans are underway for her burial, the family said.

“We can’t sleep. If we sleep, it’s like we have dreams that she’s telling us, ‘Don’t give up. Don’t stop,” said Allen’s sister. “We cannot give up.”

A custom made tombstone is being prepared and donated for Dominique Allen, said Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name, a group devoted to giving children a dignified burial. The Allen family is maintaining the active Facebook group, “Justice 4 Dominique Allen” which currently has more than 3,300 members.

Allen’s family has also drawn encouragement from the news that detectives retired from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department have returned to assist with the investigation, Allen said. The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper was unable to confirm this with IMPD homicide detective Marcus Kennedy at press time.

Thus far, $3,000 has been collected for information leading to an arrest and conviction for her murderer, the family said. Those interested in contributing to the fund can inquire at any PNC bank branch, the family said. Anyone with information about Dominique Allen’s murder is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS (8477).

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