Childhood friends got tangled in a 2019 shootout: One died, one is now charged with murder

Two successions of gunshots. A fleeing man falling into the bushes with a deadly wound. A crimson Monte Carlo peeling out of the car parking zone shortly later, abandoning two useless younger males.

Indianapolis police on Thursday introduced the arrest of 25-year-old Craig Chambers within the 2019 double murder that newly-filed courtroom data point out was linked to a marijuana theft.

Chambers himself, in keeping with these data, additionally suffered a gunshot wound to the leg stemming from the identical flurry of gunfire that afternoon.  

Investigators in courtroom data mentioned Chambers informed them on the hospital he received shot in entrance of his uncle’s home. He’s now going through prices of offering a false account to police about what occurred, along with homicide surrounding the deaths of Lamont Day Jr., his longtime buddy, and Gary Miller II that day.  

A possible trigger affidavit states witnesses after the capturing on Oct. 7, 2019 informed police they heard two rounds of gunshots, the primary sounding like firecrackers, then three “pows.” Many individuals noticed one man carrying a handgun operating away from the supply of the photographs then fall into bushes, data state. In addition they noticed one man run to a crimson Monte Carlo automotive within the car parking zone and drive south.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Cops responded to the capturing at 4:20 p.m. and located Day Jr., 22, within the bushes with a gun subsequent to him. Emergency medical personnel took him to Eskenazi Hospital, the place he died.  

Miller, 24, was discovered useless within the driver’s seat of a Mercedes-Benz within the adjoining car parking zone. His hand wrapped round a gun in his lap, police mentioned within the affidavit. Detectives later discovered 4 packages of marijuana within the shot-up automobile.

Greater than two hours later, police have been knowledgeable a person with a gunshot wound to the leg, later recognized as Chambers, confirmed as much as Group Hospital North. Police within the possible trigger affidavit mentioned Chambers informed them he was standing in entrance of his uncle’s home when he received shot, and his mom drove him to the hospital. Police took a report.

Investigators within the following days realized the crimson Monte Carlo seen driving away from the capturing belonged to the daddy of one of many victims, Day Jr.

Chambers and Day Jr. grew up collectively as mates and generally shared the Monte Carlo. Day Jr.’s household, police mentioned, informed investigators Chambers had picked him up the day he died.  

Members of the police division’s Violent Crimes Unit introduced Chambers in for questioning. In accordance with the affidavit, Chambers mentioned he went to a bar on the south facet of Indianapolis with Day Jr. earlier than the capturing however didn’t go inside. As an alternative, they talked with Miller over FaceTime and went to Miller’s residence.

Chambers informed police he parked the Monte Carlo subsequent to Miller’s Mercedes-Benz and received inside. Packages of marijuana have been within the again seat and positioned on Chambers’ lap, he mentioned.  

Bullets began flying when Day Jr. opened the driver-side door of Miller’s automotive, Chambers mentioned. The affidavit mentioned Miller then shot Day Jr., who returned fireplace. Chambers then shot Miller within the head, the affidavit mentioned. Police mentioned Chambers informed them Day Jr. ran off, persevering with to fireside a gun behind him.  

Chambers defined he received into the Monte Carlo after the capturing and tried in search of Day Jr. He then threw his gun into the lake on the residences. The affidavit mentioned a search by a dive staff from Indiana State Police didn’t flip up a gun.  

The 25-year-old mentioned he dropped off the automotive miles away from the scene of the capturing and walked down the road, flagging for somebody to deliver him residence so he might be taken to a hospital.  

The Monte Carlo was discovered on the east facet of Indianapolis. The automotive was dusty, the affidavit mentioned, and contemporary shampoo marks on the inside indicated it had been just lately cleaned. Marijuana recovered from the automotive totaled greater than 2,200 grams.  

Interviews with witnesses in courtroom data state Miller frequented the world of the capturing to promote medicine, which he dealt in giant quantities, the affidavit mentioned.  

Lab examiners additional decided Chambers’ unrecovered gun fired eight instances based mostly on cartridges inside Miller’s automobile. Day Jr. fired his gun six instances; Miller fired three.  

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Division’s Violent Crimes Unit and U.S. Marshals Service discovered Chambers on Oct. 31 and arrested him.

Chambers’ subsequent courtroom look is scheduled for January. IndyStar has reached out to Chambers’ lawyer however acquired no response earlier than publication of this story..

Contact Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com.