Indy man accused of murdering coworker on the job in deadly case of workplace violence 

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man is behind bars accused of murdering a coworker in an east side deadly shooting on Wednesday.

Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, officers were sent to the 6700 block of E. 32nd Street on a report of a person shot. IMPD found Laster with a gunshot wound. Emergency teams responded and pronounced him pronounced deceased on scene.

According to IMPD, homicide detectives identified and arrested Jacob Spivey-Martin on Thursday, in connection with the death of 42-year-old Justin Laster.

The victim had only recently started working at the insulation factory when he was gunned down on the job.

“We are very hurt because we know Justin is not a violent person,” said the victim’s Godsister Latoshia Wooden.

As a young man Laster served in the Marines. More recently he worked for IndyGo before being hired at PSC Industries, working hard to try and raise three young boys.

“You know he was at work when this happened. He was just trying to make ends meet to take care of his sons,” said Wooden.

“I mean he raised his kids and did the best he could and his life was cut down so fast with so little reason,” said Denell Howard.

Denell Howard is the pastor at the Hovey Street Church of Christ, where Laster served as a minister.

After being arrested, the accused killer Jacob Spivey-Martin allegedly told police he shot Laster simply because he got “bad vibes” from him.

“It’s just senseless. We just want to know why. We want to get some answers,” said Wooden.

According to court records, several employees claim the suspect had mental issues.

One witness told police, “Jake ‘wasn’t all there’ and would often mumble, bust out laughing for no reason and would speak about demons.”

The suspect’s girlfriend also told police he suffered from schizophrenia and doesn’t take medication.

The IMPD detective noted at the end of the interview, “I asked if Spivey feels bad for taking Justin’s life and he stated, ‘I want to.’”

“That’s a mental health issue and we’re going to have to face those issues if we want to deal with violence inside of this city,” said Howard.

Howard points out his church, where Laster used to serve, is working to renovate a facility on East 42nd Street that will serve as resource center for people in need.

The Dare to Dream campaign is designed to promote public safety, but the church needs the public’s help to make that happen.

As for the suspect, he will be held without bond until formal charges are filed by the prosecutor’s office.