IMPD Asks For Public Help In Homicide Case Involving A Boy

The Indianapolis Metro Police Department reached out to the public Monday for information about the homicide of an 8-year-old boy last month.

Police say they know very little about what happened the night Roderick Payne Jr. was shot and killed, March 31. Payne was finishing dinner inside his near northeast side home when he was struck by bullets that were fired from outside the house. 

IMPD Detective Chris Edwards says Edwards says this has been one of the hardest cases he’s ever had, and one with the least information.

"We believe that there are people out there that absolutely know the details of what happened," says Edwards. "We believe there are people out there that could tell us who is responsible for this, and we need those people to come forward.there are people in the community who have information."

Edwards says without communication the cycle of violence will continue. 

"Without people to come forward and tell us what happened, stuff like this just keeps happening and if we don’t want this to keep happening in our communities, people need to step up and do the right thing," says Edwards, "This was a child."

Payne is described as a talented third grader who enjoyed reading, riding his bike and singing in the church choir. 

Anyone with information about this incident should call the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477. Tips can also be left online at www.CrimeTips.org .