INDIANAPOLIS, IN, April 2, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A 24-year-old sidewalk counselor was gunned down in cold blood early Monday morning, and police have no idea why.
Nathan Trapuzzano was a beloved figure in his Indianapolis neighborhood, often spotted running or walking for fitness.
That hobby led him and his newlywed bride, Jennifer, to volunteer with the city's pro-life ministry, Truth and Compassion.
“Nathan used to walk by the abortion mill and would encourage Ben Manring, another of Truth and Compassion's stalwart volunteers in street ministry,” Father John Hollowell remembered. “Nathan would say to Ben that one day Nathan and Jen would come back and stand with us. One day, he and his wife did just that. And Nathan came to stay, becoming a reliable part of our outreach.”
That idealism, and all the young couple's dreams, came to an end on Monday morning. Two men attacked Trapuzzano between 5:45 and 6 a.m. between the Tron Tire Shop and Club Venus on West 16th Street.
The tire shop released surveillance footage that shows one man pull a gun and force Trapuzzano between the two buildings, while another acts as a lookout.
A passerby found the young man's body, shot in the abdomen. Trapuzzano died at 7:40 a.m. at Eskenazi Health.
The computer programmer had just moved from Pennsylvania, where his wife is still a full-time student. They married last May and were expecting their first child next month.
“In the next months they were to celebrate his 25th birthday, a one year anniversary, and the birth of their first child,” said Jennifer's sister, Julie.
Indianapolis Police Commander David Hofmann said the man “had his whole life in front of him, never been in trouble before, never been a problem, was minding his own business, doing what anybody in our community should be able to do and that is to take a morning walk.”
Walking was one of his loves. “He always did the same thing every day,” said James Deamus-el, his neighbor.
“Just knowing that others care so much is really helping us through all of this,” Julie said. She has opened a page on GoFundMe.com to help the couple pay for the funeral. As of this writing, they have raised more than $61,000 toward their $100,000 goal. After the funeral costs, the remaining funds will go to their unborn baby, Julie says.
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Those who wish may also visit the couple's baby registry website.
“Jennifer had a doctor appointment this morning and Baby Cecelia is doing great,” Julie said. “Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.”
Police say they have no suspects and no known motive. They will be increasing their patrols in the city's west side until the murderer is caught.
Contact:
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, Homicide Division: (317) 327‐3475.