The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Larry Taylor, 18, of Indianapolis on a preliminary charge of murder. Officers from the city's gang and violent crime units with help from U.S. marshals took Taylor into custody.
The arrest marks the first big break in what police have said was a burglary attempt that resulted in the slaying of Amanda Blackburn, the 28-year-old pregnant mother of a toddler. Police also have at least one other man in custody being held on unrelated charges after detectives questioned him in connection with the case.
Davey Blackburn, husband of the slain woman, said police assured him they have a solidly built case against the suspect.
"Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda's killer," he said in a statement. "Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry and slip into despair, I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope. If there is one thing I've learned from Amanda in the 10 years we were together, it's this: Choosing to let my emotions drive my decisions is recipe for a hopeless and fruitless life."
Taylor already faces misdemeanor counts of public indecency and public nudity filed June 30 in a separate case. Court records show that Taylor's lawyer in that case, Joshua Flowers, asked for a continuance Nov. 17.
Taylor is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference Dec. 1. Flowers has not yet responded to request for comment.
"We are thankful to our federal, state and local partnerships that aided in the apprehension of the suspect in this terrible and senseless crime," Indianapolis police Chief Rick Hite said in a statement. "All victims of criminal homicides deserve closure, and as a community we must send a collective message that violence is not an option."
Investigators have said they believe a man tried to burglarize the home Nov. 10 after Blackburn's husband, Davey Blackburn, left for the gym early that morning. Police have been searching for an individual captured on surveillance footage.
She died in the hospital two days after she was shot in the head.
"My hope is for three things in the weeks and months to come," Davey Blackburn said in Monday's statement:
1) That the court system would have wisdom on how to prosecute this man so that no one else endures the pain Amanda and our family have had to endure because of his actions.
2) That through all of this ... he would become truly sorry for what he has done and would even begin to experience the life-transforming power of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
3) That Jesus would give me and our family a heart of forgiveness.
... Today I am deciding to love, not hate. Today I am deciding to extend forgiveness, not bitterness. Today I am deciding to hope, not despair.
Both children of pastors, Amanda and Davey Blackburn came in 2012 to Indianapolis from South Carolina to start a church, Resonate Church. They have a toddler son, Weston.
Davey Blackburn has spoken out about the case on national television to plead for information about any possible suspects and discuss the couple's faith.
Contributing: Michael Anthony Adams, Jill Disis and Vic Ryckaert, The Indianapolis Star. Follow Madeline Buckley on Twitter: @Mabuckley88
Story courtesy of WHAS.com