At approximately 6:35 p.m. Monday, officers of the Kokomo Police Department responded to the 700 block of South Courtland Avenue on a report of “shots fired.” Upon arrival, officers located a female victim in the back yard of 703 South Courtland. The victim was later identified as Lashay R. Young-Beard, age 25, of Kokomo.
As the responding officers cleared the residence of 703 South Courtland, a 24-year-old male victim was located in the bathtub of the residence. The male victim, identity withheld at this time, was bound with duct tape on his mouth, and binding his wrists and ankles. The male reported to investigators that he had been confined at that residence for 11 days. He reported that individuals known to him and Young-Beard had confined, battered, and burned him with hot water at that residence over a period of days. The male victim is in stable condition at the time of this release.
Young-Beard was pronounced deceased at the scene by Howard County Coroner at 7:02 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for February 5.
Anyone with additional information or video surveillance in the general area of the crime scene is asked to contact Captain Michael Banush (765) 456-7278 or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at (765) 456-7017. You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip.