UPDATED April 23, 2021: One of three men charged in the 2015 fatal shooting of Amanda Blackburn has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for his part in the killing, reports the IndyStar. In 2017, Jalen E. Watson pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and two counts of burglary in the killing of the Indianapolis pastor’s wife.
The IndyStar reports that Watson’s guilty plea was part of a deal in which seven other charges, including murder and auto theft, were dismissed. Two other men, Larry Taylor Jr. and Diano Gordon, were also charged in connection to the killing.
On November 10, 2015, Indianapolis Pastor Davey Blackburn came home from the gym and was met with unimaginable tragedy. His pregnant wife had been shot in the head during a home invasion. She was 12 weeks pregnant with her and her husband’s second child at the time. Indianapolis police later learned that Blackburn’s death was part of a violent, eight-day crime spree, court documents say.
RELATED: Indiana Pastor: “I Want to Share the Gospel With the Men Who Killed My Wife”
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ChurchLeaders original article written on November 12, 2015 below.
Indianapolis Pastor Davey Blackburn came home from the gym and was met with unimaginable tragedy. His pregnant wife had been shot in the head during a home invasion.
Amanda, the 28-year-old mother of a 1-year-old son (and baby on the way) was rushed to the hospital after being found “unresponsive and suffering from apparent signs of trauma” by first responders on Tuesday. Sadly, she passed away in the hospital in critical condition.
Here is the full statement from Davey Blackburn on their church website so you can know how to pray:
It’s impossible to communicate all the emotions my heart has been forced to process. My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God. I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. There is no way to prepare yourself for circumstances like these. As deeply as I am hurting I am hopeful and confident that good things will come of this. I rest in the truth of Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.
Thank you for understanding my desire to take these next few days to continue to grieve for Amanda Grace. My focus right now is to let The Lord minister to my heart as I continue to shepherd little Weston’s. I’ll be taking this time to focus on being a great follower of Jesus, dad, family member, and pastor to our growing church.
Amanda made it her life’s calling to love and serve everyone she knew. Even more, she has made it her life’s mission to see as many people as possible come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. I know that in her death and legacy even more people will come to a saving faith in Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt her desire for me would be to continue what we’ve started here in Indy. I hold firm to the belief that God is still good, that He takes our tragedy and turns it into triumph, and that the best truly is yet to come.
-Davey Blackburn
(photos from Resonate Church website)
