Teen Arrested in Pastor’s Wife’s Slaying

Indianapolis police said on Monday they have arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting the pregnant wife of a pastor during an apparent home burglary.

Larry Taylor of Indianapolis was arrested on a preliminary murder charge in the death of 28-year-old Amanda Blackburn, who was shot and killed while she was at home with her 1-year-old son on Nov. 10, according to Indianapolis police.

“All victims of criminal homicides deserve closure, and as a community we must send a collective message that violence is not an option,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Rick Hite said in a statement.

WXIN 59, the Fox TV affiliate in Indianapolis, reported that in fact three suspects had been detained in connection with the rape and murder of Blackburn. The TV network said Jalen Watson, 21, and Diano Gordan, 24, were being held on parole violations.

Police and the Marion County Prosecutor’s office could not be reached for further comment.

Detectives believe the men entered Blackburn’s home, which was unlocked and two left with her ATM card to retrieve money, while Taylor allegedly raped and shot her, WXIN reported. ATM receipts were in a vehicle stolen previously, and the detectives also gathered evidence linking the suspects to the use of Blackburn’s credit card, WXIN said.

At least one of the suspects is cooperating with police, WXIN said. Authorities said the men referred to themselves as “The Kill Gang,” according to WXIN.

Blackburn’s husband, Davey, came home from the gym to discover his wife had been shot. She was rushed to the hospital and later died.

Earlier in the month, police said they suspected the killer may have also broken into a nearby house hours earlier.

Officials said the burglary of a television and computers from a home two doors away from the Blackburn house occurred at about 5:30 a.m. and Davey left for the gym shortly after 6 a.m.

Neighbors reported hearing shots fired at about 6:45 a.m., but there were no signs of forced entry.

The Blackburns moved to Indianapolis from South Carolina in 2012 to start the independent Resonate Church.

Davey Blackburn could not be reached for comment, but in a statement to local media he said, “Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda’s killer. The investigators have assured me they have a solidly built case to ensure justice is levied and the process is expedited.” {eoa}

© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.