Indy woman killed after argument with boyfriend; female homicides more common in 2025

INDIANAPOLIS – A 42-year-old woman is dead and her boyfriend is in jail, accused of murder following a deadly shooting over the weekend on Indy’s northwest side.

When police arrived here to the business near 56^th and Georgetown Road, the murder suspect put his hands up and surrendered.

Police claim 25-year-old Maurice Howard knelt on the ground and claimed he acted in self-defense because his girlfriend kept hitting him. Howard allegedly said, “She put her hands on me.”

Witnesses told police the argument appeared to stem from a broken car key. 42-year-old Sabrina Harbert died early Saturday morning after being shot on the sidewalk outside Jack’s Liquor store.

Police claim Howard admitted he shot his girlfriend at least 15 times. Video cameras at the business showed the pair pushing and yelling at each other.

During that fight, the victim ripped her boyfriend’s shirt, then turned and started to walk away. That’s when Howard allegedly shot her in the back, then continued to shoot her on the ground until his gun ran out of bullets.

“You can be killed from domestic violence as a woman. When someone snaps, they don’t see gender,” said Danyette Smith with Indy Champions.

Smith says domestic-related homicides have been on the rise so far this year.

In fact, the weekend killing reflects a deadly trend this year, in which nearly one out of every four homicides has involved a female victim.

While overall homicides have come down significantly in 2025, the number of female homicide victims on the same date has remained nearly the same.

That means women represent a much higher percentage of homicides compared to recent years, with 23% of this year’s homicides being women compared to 15% last year.

“There is no rule of children, women and elders being free from abuse. In today’s society, they are killing women,” Smith said.

Court records show that just three days before the murder, Howard was released from jail for cruelty to an animal.

Asked why he shot his girlfriend, the accused killer allegedly told police, “Because she kept putting her hands on me.”

“As a woman, you are not immune to being killed from domestic violence,” Smith said. “If there are warning signs, reach out for help. There are advocates available 24 hours a day.”

The murder suspect is now being held without bond pending the filing of formal charges by the prosecutor’s office.