The family of Jamar Thomas held a press conference on April 2 at the Indy Liberation Center to discuss details surrounding the shooting at a local Wing Stop in early March.
On March 7, Jamar Thomas, 45, was shot outside of the Wing Stop on 16 N Washington St. According to his family, Jamar Thomas had been in the restaurant with his nephew Lamonte Thomas, 29, to purchase food following their return from Las Vegas.
“IMPD Downtown District officers were dispatched to the 40 block of E Washington Street on a report of a person shot,” a IMPD said in a statement. “When officers arrived, they located an adult male with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound(s).”
According to the statement, the victim was then transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
According to the Indy Liberation Center, the alleged shooter was an unnamed white male that has not been arrested.
“All involved parties were believed to have been accounted for and arrested on March 7, 2026,” IMPD stated. According to the arrests and reports made by the IMPD, Jamar Thomas and his nephew were charged with attempted robbery and aggravated assault.
“29-year-old Lamonte Thomas was arrested for his alleged involvement in the incident,” the IMPD statement said. “45-year-old Jamar Thomas was arrested for his alleged involvement in this incident and remained at Eskenazi Holding due to the injuries sustained in this incident.”
On March 24, Jamar Thomas died at the hospital due to the injuries he sustained during the shooting incident.
In a statement released by the Indy Liberation Center, Lamonte Thomas was allegedly restraining the shooter to prevent any further violence.
“Lamonte restrained the shooter until police arrived. Even though Lamonte protected more people from being shot that night, he was charged with attempted robbery and aggravated assault, while the shooter claimed self-defense and went free,” the Indy Liberation Center’s press release said.
Jamar Thomas’ fiancée, Keanda Young, and Veronika Williams, the mother of Thomas’ 18-year-old daughter, were present at the press conference. Thomas’ family expressed their grief but also questioned the integrity of the investigation led by the IMPD.
“I just want justice,” Young said.
According to Young, during Jamar Thomas’ stay at the hospital, he allegedly told her that, as he and his nephew exited the restaurant, an intoxicated man that claimed he would “shoot anybody” approached them.
According to Young, the police never came to question Jamar Thomas following his arrest and transportation to Eskenazi Hospital.
Jamar Thomas’ family said he worked as an employee at Eli Lilly and had no reason to rob anyone.
“This man does not have a criminal background. He’s never robbed anyone,” Williams said. “I’m looking for justice, and we’re seeking justice. His death will forever be mourned, and I will never ever rest while his name has been left out here as a man who hangs in the alley.”
In a statement from the Indy Liberation Center, Jamar Thomas’ family has released this list of demands:
- Prosecutor Ryan Mears releases all footage, reports, and evidence to the family for independent review.
- The immediate release of Lamonte Thomas from the Marion County Jail.
- Arrest the shooter and charge him with the murder of Jamar Thomas.
This story will be updated as more information is made available.
For more information visit indyliberationcenter.org.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
