INDIANAPOLIS | A 29-year-old man is facing murder and attempted murder charges after two early-morning attacks near the Indiana State Government Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Michael Willis was charged June 30 with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The charges followed a June 19 attack in which a man later died and a June 26 attack in the same downtown area that left another man hospitalized in critical condition.
Willis is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
What investigators say happened
The first incident was initially treated as a possible medical emergency after a man was found near North Senate Avenue and West Washington Street around 6 a.m. June 19, WTHR reported. The man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Medical professionals later determined that his injuries were consistent with battery rather than a medical issue, according to WTHR.
Indiana State Capitol Police began investigating after being contacted about the case June 23. Investigators reviewed surveillance video and determined that a physical attack had occurred in the area during the early morning hours of June 19. WTHR reported that Indiana State Police said no weapon was used.
Court documents & surveillance video showed the suspect kicking or stomping on the first victim's head multiple times while the victim was asleep on the ground. FOX59 reported that the attack happened between the Indiana Statehouse and the Government Center, and that the victim later died from their injuries on June 28.
While detectives were still working to identify a possible suspect in the first case, police were called to a second attack in the same area around 2:15 a.m. June 26. The second victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. WRTV reported that police believe the second victim also was repeatedly kicked or stomped while they were asleep.
Investigators later concluded the same person appeared to be involved in both attacks after comparing images from surveillance video, clothing, and physical descriptions, according to court-documents.
How police identified the suspect
Indiana State Police detectives circulated images of the suspect from the surveillance video to IMPD. Willis was located June 26 in the 100 block of North New Jersey Street after he approached an off-duty Greensboro police officer while he was in full uniform, and asked if he could use his cellphone.
Officers said Willis appeared to be wearing clothing consistent with the surveillance footage, and that officers noted what appeared to be blood on his socks, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by CGN News.
During an interview with detectives, Willis acknowledged involvement in both attacks, and Willis allegedly told detectives, "I'm your guy," while also indicating he was the only person involved. FOX59 reported that Willis allegedly described frustration connected to homelessness, loneliness and lack of support.
Willis was initially booked into the Marion County jail, and held without bond. He was later formally charged with murder and attempted murder. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1 and a jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Anyone with information about either incident should contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
Additional Reporting By: WTHR / Zachary Jones and WTHR.com staff; FOX59 / Joe Schroeder; WRTV / Vaughn Jacobson; WISH-TV / News 8