Homicide rate calls mayor’s claim into question

Indianapolis recorded its third homicide in three days on Sunday, when police said Julian Brown was shot after kicking down
the door to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. Witnesses told police that Brown and his ex-girlfriend had been arguing just
before dawn when he entered her residence at Mallard Cove Apartments on the city’s northeast side. He died on the way
to the hospital. Detectives are still searching for his assailant. Brown’s death comes at a time when Mayor Greg Ballard
says violent crime is down nearly 30 percent. But neighborhood crime watch groups disagree. Sunday's murder marks the
56th homicide in Indianapolis this year—compared to 32 at the same time last year.