Indianapolis peacemaker ‘dedicated to his community’ fatally shot

An Indianapolis peacemaker was fatally shot Saturday evening.

The city’s Office of Public Health and Safety, which runs the peacemaker program, identified the man as John “J.B.” Barnett. Barnett was not working as a peacemaker Saturday night.

OPHS says he was a dedicated member of the community.

“JB was a proud man, dedicated to his community. As an outreach worker with our violence reduction team, he continued the mission he always had: to give back,” OPHS said in a Tweet.

Last night, we lost a team member. There are no words to describe the pain we are feeling. But here are a few to remember the life of a father, a son, a partner, and a brother:

— Indianapolis OPHS (@IndyOPHS) June 26, 2022

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Barnett was found in critical condition at a gas station near the 3400 block of North Keystone Ave. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. No further information about the case has been released at this time.

Peacemakers are community outreach workers who aim to reduce violence in the city. They also work to connect at-risk individuals with resources.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact IMPD Detective Larry Craciunoiu at 317-327-3475 or Larry.Craciunoiu@indy.gov. Individuals can also submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

Contact WFYI criminal justice reporter Katrina Pross at kpross@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @katrina_pross.

Pross is a Corps Member of Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project.