A man has been arrested in the homicide of Indianapolis firefighter Justin “JB” Boyd II and Jasmine Ivy-Dede who were both found inside a crashed truck dead with gunshot wounds in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
52-year-old Jason Dante Lapsley was taken into custody Monday, Jan. 1 on two counts of murder. IMPD said Boyd and Lapsley are brothers.
RELATED: Behind the badge: Randal Taylor reflects on time as IMPD chief
“This is not how we wanted 2024 to start. In December, we had the lowest number of criminal homicides since March of 2020. Last year, we had fewer criminal homicides, fewer homicides and fewer nonfatal shootings than we had in the previous year,” said Lt. Shane Foley with IMPD.
“But that doesn’t matter to anybody who is a victim of the shootings that took place today.”
IMPD officers responded to reports of at least 10 gunshot victims in the first six hours of the new year.
A total of three people died, with police investigating one incident as a homicide and another as a possible homicide.
Indianapolis firefighter killed
The incident being investigated as a possible homicide occurred after 1 a.m. in the 3100 block of Boulevard Place, on the Near Northside, and involved 40-year-old Bryan Foley. Foley was transported to Methodist Hospital with a gunshot wound, where he later died.
IMPD said a person was detained at the scene but was later released.
Preliminary information suggests a family disturbance occurred before the shooting happened.
The incident being investigated as a homicide involved Boyd and Ivy-Dede.
IMPD officers responded to a call shortly after 5:45 a.m. of a crashed vehicle on the city’s northwest side.
The vehicle was located at the intersection of Michigan Road and Grandview Drive, near West 51st Street.
Officers found Boyd and Ivy-Dede dead inside a pickup truck that crashed off the road. Detectives believe they were both shot prior to the crash.
The Indianapolis Fire Department confirmed that Boyd, who was an IFD engineer also known as “JB” on the force, was one of the victims. Boyd worked on Ladder 6 B Shift.
Firefighters remember Justin “JB” Boyd II
Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the second victim as Ivy-Dede.
“We were devastated to hear of the tragic loss of our friend and fellow IFD firefighter, Justin Boyd. Justin was a well-loved member of this department and proudly served for 10 years as a firefighter. Our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy, most especially his wife and 2 children,” said Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Earnest Malone in an online post.
“Our heartfelt thoughts also go out to the family of the other victim involved in this tragedy. Please know you have our prayers as well. For those of us who served with Justin, we are at a complete loss for words. He will be sorely missed.”
Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association President Corey Floyd said Boyd was a proud member of the association.
“We ask that you keep his family, his IFD Station 6, his Indy Black Firefighters Association family and the entire IFD in your prayers at this time. We know GOD is with us during this deep state of grief and we appreciate your kindness & support,” said Floyd.
Boyd was a barber, and the association said he was always supportive, caring and kept everyone laughing.
In a post online, the association said he looked out for others, and when you saw him, you knew it was going to be a good day. He could calm a room without words and help you through a lesson without judgement.
Other reported shootings on New Year’s Day:
- 11400 block of Smoothbark Drive (47-year-old female)
- St Vincent Hospital walk-in (23-year-old male)
- 500 block of Moreland Avenue (21-year-old male)
- Eskenazi Hospital walk-in (39-year-old male)
- Intersection of E. Ohio Street and N. Delaware Street (26-year-old male)
- 6400 block of Maidstone Road (18-year-old male)
- 2400 block of Bradbury Avenue (28-year-old male)
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at (317) 762-7853 or by email JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
