Robert “Deon” English Jr., 43, died after a robbery outside a laundromat early Tuesday.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A 43-year-old man was shot and killed early Tuesday during a robbery at an east-side Indianapolis laundromat, leaving his cousin to describe the attack as sudden and hard to believe.
Robert “Deon” English Jr. died June 9 after police responded about 1:15 a.m. to the Laundry and Tan Connection at 2202 N. Mitthoefer Road. Police said the shooting appeared to stem from a robbery. English was taken to a hospital, where he died. No arrest had been reported in the first public accounts of the case.
English’s cousin said the two were at the laundromat using its free Wi-Fi and working on a podcast when two masked people approached. The cousin, who witnessed the shooting, said the scene did not feel real as it unfolded in front of him. He described English as more than a relative, saying he was someone who brought humor, conversation and steady company into the lives of people around him.
Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were first sent to the east-side business on a report of a robbery. While officers were on the way, they learned a person had been shot. When police arrived, they found English with a gunshot wound. Investigators said the shooting happened during a robbery in the parking lot area of the laundromat. Officials had not released the names of suspects or said whether detectives had recovered the gun used in the killing.
The business sits along North Mitthoefer Road on Indianapolis’ east side, a corridor with late-night traffic, apartment complexes and small businesses. The shooting drew fresh attention because the victim’s family said English had gone there not for conflict, but for internet access and a creative project. His cousin said they were working on a podcast when the masked robbers came up to them, turning an ordinary overnight stop into a homicide investigation.
Investigators were expected to review evidence from the scene, including any available surveillance video from the laundromat or nearby businesses. Police had not said how many shots were fired, whether anything was taken or whether English knew the people who approached him. Those details remained unknown as detectives worked to build a timeline from witness statements, 911 calls and physical evidence collected at the property.
English’s death was recorded as a fatal shooting in Indianapolis on June 9. Family members identified him as Robert “Deon” English Jr., and public memorial listings gave his age as 43. His cousin’s account added a personal view of the case, describing the shock of seeing a loved one killed at close range. He said the loss still had not settled in, calling it hard to accept that English was gone.
The case remained open Wednesday, June 10, as police continued looking for the people involved. Investigators had not announced charges or a court date. The next step in the case is expected to come from IMPD detectives or the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office if an arrest is made.
Author note: Last updated June 10, 2026.