In a devastating act of gun violence, 29-year-old Brittany Nicole Kavanaugh lost her life on December 6, 2025, in a drive-by shooting on Indianapolis’s south side. The incident, occurring around 6:45 a.m. in the 200 block of East Troy Avenue near South Meridian Street, underscores the city’s ongoing struggle with interpersonal conflicts escalating to deadly ends.
Authorities responded swiftly to reports of gunfire, discovering Brittany suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the hallway of an apartment building, her vehicle targeted while she was inside.
Pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Eskenazi Hospital, Brittany’s cause of death was ruled as multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and head, inflicted by her ex-boyfriend who allegedly fired from her own car before fleeing the scene.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) investigation revealed the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, with the suspect, whose identity remains withheld pending formal charges, located hours later in a nearby county. No arrests have been announced as of December 11, but forensic evidence from the black sedan recovered supports the targeted nature of the attack.
Born in 1996 in Indianapolis to parents Mark and Lisa Kavanaugh, Brittany grew up in the Beech Grove neighborhood, attending local public schools before earning an associate’s degree in business administration from Ivy Tech Community College in 2017.
She channeled her organizational skills into a rewarding career at Imma Rapper, a local music promotion firm, where she rose to administrative coordinator, managing event logistics and artist support with unwavering professionalism. Colleagues recall her as the office heartbeat, blending efficiency with a contagious enthusiasm for emerging talent.
Brittany’s family life revolved around her close-knit circle, including her younger brother Tyler, a mechanic, and her parents, who instilled values of resilience and community service during weekly family gatherings. Though unmarried, she was a devoted aunt to her niece Emma, often hosting craft sessions that sparked young creativity, while maintaining a long-term relationship that ended acrimoniously months before the tragedy.
Professionally driven yet personally vibrant, Brittany’s lifestyle merged disciplined yoga routines at local studios with indulgent nights discovering indie rap venues downtown. Her hobbies—curating Spotify playlists for road trips and volunteering at animal shelters, where she fostered rescue dogs—highlighted a compassionate spirit that drew friends into spontaneous adventures.
As Indianapolis grapples with this loss—the 142nd homicide of 2025—Brittany’s legacy of kindness endures through a planned memorial on December 13 at Flanner Buchanan Funeral Home. Donations to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence honor her advocacy for safer relationships, ensuring her warmth continues to inspire a community forever changed by her absence.
Other Deaths in Indiana on December 2025