Relatives of a man shot in a downtown Indianapolis alley in early March say the police version of what went down does not match what witnesses told them, and they are pressing hard for answers while prosecutors review the case. Forty‑five‑year‑old Jamar Thomas was shot during a struggle in an alley near East Washington and North Pennsylvania streets on March 7 and later died at Eskenazi Hospital on March 24. His nephew, 29‑year‑old Lamonte Thomas, is still in jail on charges tied to the encounter as advocates push for release of the full surveillance footage.
Family's Version Of The Night
According to relatives, Thomas had gone into a Wingstop to pick up dinner while his car sat idling outside, and he and his nephew confronted a man they say was acting belligerent and flashing a handgun, not trying to rob anyone. Family members say Lamonte held the shooter down until officers arrived while Jamar lay wounded in the alley. Those claims and the broader family narrative were laid out at a recent news conference, according to WIBC 93.1 FM.
Police Say Video Shows Attempted Robbery
IMPD investigators say something very different appears on surveillance video and in court documents. According to police, the footage shows the two men approaching a 21‑year‑old from behind and grabbing at his waistband before the younger man opens fire, a version that led to arrests for both Jamar and Lamonte. Detectives have characterized the shooting as self‑defense by the armed man and say several witnesses backed up that account. Descriptions of the video and screenshots from it have been detailed in local coverage, according to WRTV.
Hospital Timeline And Death
Thomas was rushed to Eskenazi Medical Center and underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to his abdomen, then remained hospitalized for weeks before dying on March 24. The Marion County coroner will issue the official determination on his cause and manner of death while homicide detectives continue their work on the case. Coverage of the medical timeline and investigation has been provided by several local outlets, including WTHR.
Advocates Demand Footage And Raise Race Questions
The Indianapolis Liberation Center has lined up with the family in calling for the city to release the full, unedited surveillance footage and to bring in an independent review of the evidence rather than relying on selected clips. Organizers have also pointed to research they say shows one responding officer has more than 100 documented use‑of‑force incidents, most involving Black residents, and argue that history matters for public trust in the probe. Those details came out in coverage of the family’s public statements by The Indianapolis Star.
Legal Stakes
Lamonte Thomas remains in the Marion County Jail on a $12,000 bond and is charged with robbery resulting in bodily injury, criminal confinement and battery, according to WRTV. With Jamar’s death now tied to the March 7 encounter, prosecutors could seek additional or upgraded charges, and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has said the case is still in its early stages while evidence is reviewed, per WIBC 93.1 FM.
What Comes Next
The family says it plans to keep pushing for release of the unedited video and more information about the medical care Thomas received during his hospital stay. Prosecutors and IMPD say they remain in evidence‑gathering mode, and investigators have asked anyone with information or video of the incident to contact homicide detectives, as local reporting has noted. The case is still under active review and could shift as more material comes in, according to WTHR.
