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Summary: 68-year-old
Terri Lee Heady was fatally shot during a failed robbery at an
east-side clothing boutique where she worked part-time in th Indianapolis, Indiana's Irvington neighborhood, on December 4, 2025. Authorities pursued suspect Terry E. Morgan, 58, who later died by suicide after a standoff. Police ruled Heady's death a homicide. The community mourned the kind retiree with tributes and fundraisers to support her family and the store.
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INDIANAPOLIS (DailyKenn.com) — A part-time employee was fatally shot during an attempted robbery at an east-side women's clothing store, prompting a police pursuit that ended with the suspect's suicide, authorities reported.
Terri Lee Heady, 68, of Indianapolis, died at the scene after being wounded inside Josephine's on East Washington Street around 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 4, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Investigators described the event as a botched holdup, with no indication that the victim resisted or that the situation escalated beyond the initial demand.
Police said officers arrived promptly after reports of gunfire and discovered Heady with a single gunshot wound. Emergency responders declared her deceased shortly thereafter. As authorities secured the area, they spotted a man matching the suspect's description fleeing nearby, leading to a short foot chase.
The pursuit concluded when the individual, later identified by the Marion County Coroner's Office as 58-year-old Terry E. Morgan, hid behind a tree and refused commands to surrender. Officers engaged in extended negotiations to resolve the standoff peacefully, police stated, but Morgan turned his weapon on himself, inflicting a critical injury. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds hours later. The coroner ruled Heady's death a homicide and Morgan's an apparent suicide. No officers discharged their firearms during the encounter, and the case remains under review, though no charges were filed due to the suspect's death.
Family members described Heady as a retired woman who volunteered at the store a few evenings weekly to remain engaged in the community, emphasizing she was known for her kindness and had no history of conflict. A nearby business owner, who asked not to be named, called the act "utterly pointless" and noted such violence is uncommon in the tight-knit Irvington neighborhood, adding that residents were stunned by the tragedy so close to the holiday season.
Another local resident who had recently interacted with Heady at the store recalled her as "warm and gracious," expressing grief that she "left this world prematurely." Police commanders echoed the sentiment, labeling the loss "devastating" and highlighting the rarity of violent crimes in the area's commercial district.
In response, community leaders and merchants in Irvington quickly mobilized support. A wreath of white flowers appeared outside Josephine's the following day, placed by the local business association as a symbol of solidarity. City-County Councilor Andy Nielsen praised the neighborhood's resilience, urging residents to watch over each other amid the sorrow. Plans emerged for fundraising efforts, including a moment of silence at a holiday event and a benefit dinner where proceeds would aid Heady's family and the affected store. Businesses like a nearby florist and burger spot committed to donations, with one owner stating the community would "stand strong together" to honor the victim and prevent isolation in grief.
The store remained shuttered in the days following, as investigators wrapped up their work and locals processed the shock.
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