INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Murder charges have been filed against an Indianapolis man accused of fatally shooting his roommate after a fight where she reportedly spat and smeared feces on him.
Abdul Malik Banks, 20, was arrested Saturday in connection with the death of his roommate, 44-year-old Shawnetta Small.
Around 8:15 p.m. July 11, Small was found dead from two gunshot wounds at her home in the 1500 block of Downey Avenue.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after Small called 911, saying her roommate had attacked her and was complaining about her not paying rent.
She did not request an ambulance, but for her roommate to be arrested. She was also heard over the call telling someone, “You’re going to jail.”
When IMPD arrived, they waited for several minutes for Small to exit the house. Eventually, they entered and searched the house room by room, finding Small dead in her bedroom.
Officers detained and spoke with Small’s roommates, including Banks. Banks’ girlfriend, who did not live at the home, was there at the time of the fight and was also questioned.
A probable cause affidavit says that after speaking with Small’s and Banks’ roommates, investigators learned the two got in an argument after Banks confronted Small for using the bathroom naked and with the door open. Banks reportedly tried to close the bathroom door, but Small kept opening it.
Banks’ girlfriend added Small called Banks several slurs, including the “hard R”, as he tried to shut the door.
This confrontation prompted Small to spit at and smear feces on Banks, witnesses said they later learned from Banks.
The witnesses said that eventually, they heard a loud bang. One roommate told police they believed Banks and Small were physically fighting, and dishes fell. No other roommates got into it with Small.
When Banks talked to police, he denied having any issues with Small but admitted to her spitting and smearing feces on him.
He went upstairs to clean up, and when he came back downstairs, his TV and vases were broken. He left to try to pawn the TV, but the store was closed. The affidavit previously mentioned IMPD noticed Banks leaving the home with his TV and returning shortly before they located Small.
Banks did not say if he attacked or shot Small, but witnesses confirmed to IMPD that Banks owns a black-and-green semi-automatic handgun.
Investigators did not say if shell casings located at the scene matched Banks’ firearm.
Banks was arrested Saturday and booked into the Marion County jail without bond. He was due in court for an initial hearing Thursday.
His case was set to go to trial on Sept. 22.
Crime Resources
- Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana: 317-262-8477
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