INDIANAPOLIS -- The family of an elderly Zionsville man gunned down in his own driveway – apparently at random – issued a brief statement Tuesday following the arrest of the man police believe is responsible.
John A. Clements, 82, was returning from collecting his mail when neighbors say a white Impala drove up his driveway. Moments later, they would later tell police, four gunshots rang out. The Impala then sped off.
An autopsy found Clements suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, right arm and right leg.
.@ZionsvilleIN PD Chief: "On September 28, this evil came to our community, and it makes absolutely no sense." pic.twitter.com/f64qDYVHoM
— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan_RTV6) November 1, 2016
On Monday, following a tense SWAT standoff in which Indianapolis police came under fire from a barricaded suspect with a rifle, IMPD officers arrested 21-year-old Damoine Wilcoxson at a northeast side apartment.
Above: Damoine Wilcoxson, 21
READ MORE | Barricaded suspect opens fire on IMPD from northeast side apartment
At the same time, Boone County prosecutors released a probable cause affidavit charging Wilcoxson with Clements' murder.
Wilcoxson also stands accused in two shootings that occurred at IMPD's North and Northwest District headquarters buildings last month.
In the probable cause affidavit, prosecutors say bullet casings found at all three scenes – along with DNA evidence found on the bullets and notes left behind – were linked to Wilcoxson.
TIMELINE | How police link Zionsville murder suspect to two shootings at IMPD headquarters
On Tuesday, Clements' family issued a media release through the Zionsville Police Department thanking officers and prosecutors for their work in the case:
"We are relieved that the Boone County Prosecutor has been able to file charges in the murder of our father. We are very thankful to the Zionsville Police Department, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Indiana State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and others involved in the investigation. Their diligent work brought this to a quick resolution so that others would not be harmed. We are also very thankful to our friends and neighbors in Zionsville who were able to provide information to the police related to the investigation."
At a press conference Tuesday, Zionsville Police Chief Robert Knox said he had no idea what, if any, Wilcoxson may have had to target Clements.
.@Zionsville PD Chief says John Clements' targeting "seems extremely random." pic.twitter.com/aJYG8lNlCY
— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan_RTV6) November 1, 2016
"It seems extremely random," Knox said. "On September 28, this evil came to our community, and it makes absolutely no sense."
Zionsville Mayor Tom Haak said Wilcoxson's arrest lifted a "cloud of the unknown" hovering over the town since Clements' murder in September.
Wilcoxson was being held at the Boone County Jail without bail on a charge of murder. Indianapolis police said they intend to file additional charges against him in connection with Monday's SWAT standoff.
