Manhunt for suspect who shot, killed pastor’s pregnant wife
Patricia Stark reports from New York
Surveillance cameras on more than one street caught the suspect accused of murdering an Indiana pastor's pregnant wife during a home invasion, police revealed Friday.
The suspect is black and wore a two-toned hoodie with light pants, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department captain Craig Converse said at a news conference. He said the suspect's height is between 5 feet, 4 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches.
He tried to pull his hood down over his face, Converse added.
Police promised to release a picture of the suspect "in the near future." Converse said they did not have the suspect's name.
Investigators also revealed that the suspect apparently saw an opportunity after burglarizing a house two doors down, then seeing the pastor leave home to exercise early Tuesday morning. They said several neighbors spotted the suspect outside and reported him to police.
The pastor's wife, 28-year-old Amanda Blackburn, was shot inside the family's home. Her 15-month-old son son was in his crib upstairs, Converse said.
Indianapolis Police Chief Richard Hite called it "a heinous murder." Major Eric Hench warned the suspect, "You left behind evidence... we will find you, and we will not stop until we get you."
The cause of Amanda Blackburn's death was a gunshot wound to the head and her death was officially ruled a homicide. Pastor Davey Blackburn, Amanda’s husband, has been cleared as a suspect in the case.
Police say there could be multiple suspects in the burglaries. "It wasn't a typical home invasion," according to Hite, who said there was no forced entry in the Blackburn home.
"I cannot thank you enough for the unbelievable outpouring of love that you have shared with my family over the past few days," the pastor wrote on his church's Facebook page Friday. “We are going to have church this Sunday, just like we always do."
The Blackburns had moved to Indiana from South Carolina in 2012 to start the Resonate Church. Amanda was 12 weeks pregnant.
Davey Blackburn returned from the gym and found Amanda around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, lying unconscious on the floor.
Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information.
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