INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Nov. 12, 2015) — A pastor’s wife shot during a home invasion robbery two days ago has died, according to the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
Amanda Blackburn, 28, has been pronounced dead, the coroner’s office said. The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Blackburn was critically injured during the shooting, which happened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at her home in the 2800 block of Sunnyfield Court. The coroner’s office said Wednesday that Blackburn was on a ventilator and that it appeared her death was “imminent.” She has since been taken off the ventilator and the organ donation process is complete, the coroner’s office said.
Blackburn and her husband, Davey Blackburn, moved from South Carolina to Indianapolis in 2012 to start the Resonate Church on the north side. They have a young son and Blackburn was 12 weeks pregnant with their second child.
Police are searching for connections to other recent crimes that happened the same day. A burglary took place just a few houses down from the Blackburn home. Police are also looking at potential connections with a home invasion on the northeast side. Suspects in that case were captured on surveillance video.
“We will find those connections if they’re there,” IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams said.
Her husband, who has been cleared as a suspect in the case, released a statement Wednesday regarding his wife:
“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.”
