More than two and a half years after a murder inside a restaurant on Indy’s west side, a Gary man is finally in jail in connection with the deadly violence.
Police say the suspect was arrested last week in Wisconsin.
Nearly 50 gunshots were fired during a chaotic gun battle inside the Waffle House on south Lynhurst in February 2024. That shootout left five people wounded and killed a woman who was shot while trying to run for cover.
Saleem El-Amin, Khayree Sims and Darrell Turner were all charged with either attempted murder or murder last year for their alleged involvement in the gunfight.
Both El-Amin and Sims, who live in Gary, were wounded by the gunfire. Both disappeared after being charged and have been wanted ever since.
Last week, El-Amin was finally tracked down and arrested in Appleton, Wisconsin. He remains in the Outagamie County jail.
“We will go as far as we need to go and as long as it takes to ensure we bring justice to these victims,” said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson. “That’s what it takes to make sure Marion County is holding these violent offenders accountable and we will continue to do that.”
The violence claimed the life of 35-year-old Crystal Kennebrew. The victim, a well-known bar owner from Gary, was killed visiting Indy for the NBA All-Star Game.
Last week, Turner accepted an agreement to plead guilty to three felony charges, including attempted aggravated battery and assisting a criminal. In exchange for his murder charge being dropped, Turner will serve a maximum 20-year sentence. He has already been in jail for over a year.
Police spoke to more than a dozen witnesses and watched surveillance video from inside the store. Court records claim Sims sparked the deadly shootout and fired the fatal shots. Police again asked for assistance bringing him to justice.
“We can’t do it alone. We need other people’s help,” said Thompson. “We want the community to come forward if they have any knowledge where this third suspect may be located.”
There is no timeline for El-Amin to be returned to Marion County.
In the meantime, anyone with information on the whereabouts of Khayree Sims can contact either IMPD’s homicide office or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
