Indy tops 100 total homicides following pair of deadly shootings

INDIANAPOLIS — Two people are dead following a violent night in Indianapolis. In the span of just 30 minutes Tuesday night, police were called to investigate a pair of homicides.

The deadly violence marked the 100th and the 101st homicides of the year in Indianapolis.

An argument between a newly married couple turned tragic Tuesday night when police say a man shot and killed his wife,

Quiana McBride, with her two young kids present.

A nearby IMPD officer, who had been called to investigate a medical emergency, heard the fatal gunshot and arrested 40-year-old Octavius McBride just 15 seconds after the shooting.

Court records claim the suspect admitted he killed his wife, but he repeatedly insisted she pulled a gun on him first.

McBride allegedly told police, “I did not intentionally shoot my wife … she’s been pulling that gun on me all night. She has been trying to hurt me all night. I know what I did, I’m not denying that.”

The couple had only been married for three months, but police reports show there had been several incidents of domestic disturbances involving the pair.

“Please, if you are having marital issues or relationship issues, get help,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Rob Rider said during a media briefing. “There are a lot of resources out there.”

Just 30 minutes after responding to the deadly domestic violence, officers were dispatched to West 81st Street, where an employee at UPS was getting off work when someone shot and killed him.

The motive for that shooting remains a mystery.

“There’s really no rhyme or reason to it,” said Rider.  “This was such a tragic, senseless crime.”

The pair of killings brought the total number of homicides so far this year to 101.  That is 29 fewer than last year on the same date and by far the lowest number of deaths since 2019.

“We will never give up trying to bring justice to these victims and their families,” said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson.

IMPD promises to continue using specialty units like the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force and other technology to target repeat violent offenders, but ultimately the public has to do their part as well.

“We need the community to step up and step forward against crime so we can continue to drive these numbers down,” said Thompson.

McBride is being held without bond on a preliminary charge of murder.

Police are encouraging those with information on the 81st Street shooting to contact Detective Connie Pearson at the IMPD Homicide Office by calling (317) 327-3475 or emailing Connie.Pearson@indy.gov. 

Alternatively, tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana by calling (317) 262-8477.