June 19, 2021- 10:14 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Mourners at a memorial service for Monolito Ford, held on the spot where he was killed by IMPD officers, said he struggled with depression and mental health issues before police were called out by neighbors on a report of a suicidal man with a gun.
One friend said that Ford reportedly sought mental health treatment at two sites last week only to be turned away for a lack of medical insurance before ultimately securing an appointment at another clinic. Sadly, Ford didn’t live long enough to make that appointment.
Police say when they arrived in the 7800 block of Red Mill Drive after a report of gunfire they spotted Ford advancing on them, his gun pointed in their direction, and their shouted commands did not deter the 48-year-old father of four. Three officers fired an undetermined number of shots and then tried to save Ford’s life before he was pronounced dead.
“The truth will come out,” said Desma Anderson, who shared a child with Ford. At the site of the memorial, before dozens of balloons were released skyward, Ford’s cousin was asked if she trusted IMPD to reveal the full story of the fatal officer involved shooting. “As previous incidents from before, absolutely not,” said Tanesha Turner.
IMPD gave a preliminary briefing to some community leaders. Family members said Ford was struggling with the death of his mother last year, the murders of three nephews at the Carriage House Apartments in early 2020 and the murders of four other family members on Randolph Street in March.
“Enough is enough,” said Demetri Brown, who co-parented with Ford and questioned IMPD’s tactics and whether a mental health professional should have accompanied officers on the call.
“We’re not gonna jump to conclusions and the family has not. My son is broke. His daughter is broke. He has four kids. Now we’ve got to take care of them to make sure they’re okay.” Ford is the 95th homicide victim in Indianapolis this year.
A number that puts the city one month ahead of last year’s record pace, though 18 homicides have been the result of three mass killings in 2021. Brown said that while she’s been related to five of this year’s homicide victims, in a sense, all of the Indianapolis families has been affected. “We’re all connected,” she said.
