24-Year-Old Damontre Tayshon Burnett Identified as Victim in South Fort Wayne Homicide; Teen Suspect Arrested
24-Year-Old Damontre Tayshon Burnett Identified as Victim in South Fort Wayne Homicide; Teen Suspect Arrested
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA — The Allen County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the victim in a fatal shooting that occurred last Thursday on Fort Wayne’s south side as 24-year-old Damontre Tayshon Burnett, a resident of Fort Wayne. The tragic incident unfolded in the early afternoon hours and has since been ruled a homicide, marking the 17th homicide in Allen County so far this year.
Shooting in Church Parking Lot Claims Young Life
The shooting took place around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, in the parking lot of a church located in the 700 block of West Rudisill Boulevard. According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a male victim — later identified as Burnett — suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical efforts, Burnett was pronounced dead at the scene, adding another tragic layer to what should have been a quiet afternoon in a sacred space.
Victim Identified as Damontre Tayshon Burnett
On Monday, the Allen County Coroner’s Office released Burnett’s identity and confirmed his death was the result of gunshot wounds, officially ruling it a homicide. The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among those who knew Damontre as a vibrant young man full of potential and warmth.
Friends and family members have taken to social media to mourn his loss, expressing heartbreak, disbelief, and a deep desire for justice. “He was more than just a headline,” one relative wrote. “He was a son, a friend, a brother, and he deserved more time.”
Juvenile Suspect Arrested
In a swift turn in the investigation, police announced on Friday that a 17-year-old male was arrested late Thursday night in connection with the shooting. The suspect’s identity has not been released due to his age. Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspected motive, nor the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victim, citing the ongoing investigation.
The arrest brings a measure of progress, but also underscores the troubling reality of youth involvement in violent crimes, something law enforcement and community leaders have been working hard to combat in Fort Wayne and beyond.
A City Confronting Violence
Damontre Burnett’s death marks the 17th homicide in Allen County in 2025, a statistic that continues to grow at an alarming pace. Community members, clergy, and activists are calling for renewed efforts to address the root causes of gun violence, from lack of economic opportunities to mental health access and systemic inequality.
“This shouldn’t be normal,” said one local pastor who lives near the crime scene. “A young man died in a church parking lot — a place meant to be safe, sacred. We must do more as a community to intervene before it gets to this point.”
A Life Remembered
As the investigation continues, loved ones are preparing to lay Damontre to rest. Plans for a memorial service are underway, and his family has requested privacy as they process the unimaginable loss. Local organizations have offered support with funeral costs and grief counseling services for those affected.
Burnett’s death is not just another statistic. It is a devastating reminder of the lives lost to senseless violence and the enduring pain left in its wake. The community of Fort Wayne now mourns another young life taken too soon, while hoping for answers, accountability, and ultimately, peace.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Fort Wayne Police or Crime Stoppers. As the legal process continues, the city remains on edge — grieving, remembering, and urging change in the name of those who no longer have a voice.
Rest in peace, Damontre Tayshon Burnett. May your memory be a blessing.
Shooting in Church Parking Lot Claims Young Life
The shooting took place around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, in the parking lot of a church located in the 700 block of West Rudisill Boulevard. According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a male victim — later identified as Burnett — suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical efforts, Burnett was pronounced dead at the scene, adding another tragic layer to what should have been a quiet afternoon in a sacred space.
Victim Identified as Damontre Tayshon Burnett
On Monday, the Allen County Coroner’s Office released Burnett’s identity and confirmed his death was the result of gunshot wounds, officially ruling it a homicide. The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among those who knew Damontre as a vibrant young man full of potential and warmth.
Friends and family members have taken to social media to mourn his loss, expressing heartbreak, disbelief, and a deep desire for justice. “He was more than just a headline,” one relative wrote. “He was a son, a friend, a brother, and he deserved more time.”
Juvenile Suspect Arrested
In a swift turn in the investigation, police announced on Friday that a 17-year-old male was arrested late Thursday night in connection with the shooting. The suspect’s identity has not been released due to his age. Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspected motive, nor the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victim, citing the ongoing investigation.
The arrest brings a measure of progress, but also underscores the troubling reality of youth involvement in violent crimes, something law enforcement and community leaders have been working hard to combat in Fort Wayne and beyond.
A City Confronting Violence
Damontre Burnett’s death marks the 17th homicide in Allen County in 2025, a statistic that continues to grow at an alarming pace. Community members, clergy, and activists are calling for renewed efforts to address the root causes of gun violence, from lack of economic opportunities to mental health access and systemic inequality.
“This shouldn’t be normal,” said one local pastor who lives near the crime scene. “A young man died in a church parking lot — a place meant to be safe, sacred. We must do more as a community to intervene before it gets to this point.”
A Life Remembered
As the investigation continues, loved ones are preparing to lay Damontre to rest. Plans for a memorial service are underway, and his family has requested privacy as they process the unimaginable loss. Local organizations have offered support with funeral costs and grief counseling services for those affected.
Burnett’s death is not just another statistic. It is a devastating reminder of the lives lost to senseless violence and the enduring pain left in its wake. The community of Fort Wayne now mourns another young life taken too soon, while hoping for answers, accountability, and ultimately, peace.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Fort Wayne Police or Crime Stoppers. As the legal process continues, the city remains on edge — grieving, remembering, and urging change in the name of those who no longer have a voice.
Rest in peace, Damontre Tayshon Burnett. May your memory be a blessing.
