Family remembers murdered Dollar Tree employee a year later

INDIANAPOLIS — A year has passed since a man entered a Lawrence Dollar Tree and shot and killed 25-year-old Jasmine Bennett.

On Wednesday, her family’s day began at her gravesite.

“We had her birthday party here,” said Bennett’s mother, Dina Ford.

Ford misses her daughter Jasmine.

“Today was the day we lost her. I mean, that was her rebirth, as my sister would say,” Ford said.

The days, weeks and months linger.

“It doesn’t get any easier. It never gets easier. I have good days and bad days,” Ford said.

Bennett wasn’t supposed to go to work on the morning of May 8, 2023, but she wanted to.

According to investigators, Jalen Thomas shot her in connection with an alleged exchange of goods.

Employees told a detective that Thomas was fired in March for theft and returned twice “causing problems.”

Witnesses identified Thomas as the suspect.

According to court documents, a detective informed Thomas of Bennett’s death, after which Thomas reportedly told the detective that he intended to kill Bennett.

Thomas also told the detective that he was “sorry” and that he “didn’t want a chance at probation or parole.”

Bennett’s family awaits their day in court.

“I am patient. I’d rather they be thorough and not get him off on some technicality. I mean, it hurts that he didn’t pay, but I’m just trying to wait,” Ford said.

The family hopes for justice and continues to honor the life taken too soon.

“Her bedroom is still the same as she left it. It’s locked. And I go in every now and then and you can still smell them,” Ford said.

Family and friends gathered outside the Dollar Tree on Pendleton Pike Wednesday evening to honor Bennett and keep her memory alive.