Man Had Violent History With Mother Of Boy Killed Police: Man Fired Into Apartment, Striking Boy, 18-Year-Old

POSTED: 3:54 pm EDT July 23, 2009

UPDATED: 6:12 pm EDT July 23, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man accused of opening fire on an Indianapolis apartment, killing an 8-year-old boy, has a long history of violence against the child's mother, police said.

Joshua Germany, 27, was arrested just after midnight on the city's northeast side, in connection with a shooting at the Hearts Landing apartments at 4335 North Whittfield St., near 46th Street and Post Road.

Investigators said Germany fired several shots into the apartment just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, striking 8-year-old Jeremiah Williams in the head. He died at Riley Hospital for Children at 5:20 a.m.

Namar Taylor, 18, was also shot in the head. He was released from Wishard Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon.

Germany was preliminarily charged with murder and attempted murder.

"There were four children inside the residence when these shots were fired, as well as two adults," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul Thompson. "Those shots could have struck anyone, and it's pretty obvious that's exactly what happened. I seriously doubt his intended victim was an 8-year-old."

Police said Germany's intended target was his ex-girlfriend Deneen Williams, Jeremiah Williams' mother. The former couple do have a child together, but Germany is not related to the boy who was shot, police said.

Namar Taylor

Court documents detail years of domestic incidents between the two, including a charge of strangulation and three domestic battery charges filed Wednesday related to an incident on Monday. Germany's first domestic battery conviction was in 2003.

"I just hope the man who did it, he realizes he hurt a lot of families," said Lakisha Taylor, the sister of Namar Taylor.

Community leaders asked residents to assist police.

"You know who is committing crime. You know who is out here shooting in our community. It's time for us to come together and stop this," said Save the Youth founder Byron Alston.

Police said that women who find themselves in dangerous relationships should also come forward to put an end to the cycle of violence.

"I know it is very difficult for women to take a stand, but they need to. They need to make sure they cooperate with police, and that they show up to court hearings," said Commander Becky Lake.

Germany was being held without bond Thursday.