FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – The Fort Wayne Police Department arrested three suspects in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at approximately 1:20 A.M. on St. Mary’s Avenue.
Upon arriving at the scene, FWPD officers discovered one male deceased inside the residence and another male suffering from a non-life-threatening injury. The FWPD Homicide Unit took over the investigation.

On the evening of September 15th, at around 7:25 pm, law enforcement officers attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of Williams Street and Harrison Street with the intention of apprehending suspects 36-year-old Royal Davis Jr. and 29-year-old Jessica Fuentes. Instead of complying with the stop, the suspects fled the scene, igniting a high-speed pursuit through the city streets.

The chase came to a halt near the intersection of I-469 and U.S. 27 after the suspect vehicle crashed. Despite the collision, both Davis and Fuentes attempted to escape on foot but were apprehended by officers.

A third suspect, 28-year-old Robert Ward, was taken into custody by officers in the 1400 block of Dubois Street at around 2:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 16th, 2023.

Royal Davis Jr. faces preliminary charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Attempted Murder, Fleeing-Vehicle, and resisting.

Jessica Fuentes faces preliminary charges of Murder, Felony Murder, and Attempted Murder.

Robert Ward faces preliminary charges of Robbery-Resulting in Death (Level 1).

Agencies that assisted in this operation were the FWPD Gang Unit, Vice/Narcotics division, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Crime Scene detectives.

The Allen County Coroner’s Office on Monday morning announced the victim was 28-year-old Travis Gilbert of Fort Wayne.  The Cause of Death was determined to be Gunshot Wound of the Chest and Manner of Death was Homicide.  Gilbert’s death marks the 17th homicide of the year in Allen County.