INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis family is praying for justice after a man was intentionally killed by a driver outside a bar on Indy's west side.
Just after 12 a.m. early Saturday morning at the Checkered Flag Tavern on West Morris Street, a 40-year-old man died after apparently trying to break up an argument between other patrons.
Police believe the violence started when an argument inside the bar spilled into the parking lot. That's where police say the suspect intentionally drove toward a crowd of people.
Sadly, the family of the man who was hit said the victim was trying to play the role of peacekeeper when he was killed.
"It's very heart-wrenching," said the victim's niece Samaria Allen-Whenu.
"It's hard to accept it. It was so random," said the victim's niece Taliyah Ratcliffe.
Both Samaria and Taliyah say their uncle, Perry Banks, mostly kept to himself but also had a fun-loving, goofy personality.
The 40-year-old died after being hit by the suspect's SUV. His death has been ruled a homicide.
The owner of the Checkered Flag confirmed to FOX59/CBS4 that surveillance video shows Banks tried to defuse a disturbance when the suspect drove into a crowd of people in the parking lot and then sped away.
"It's just crazy to think about it because when they said he was trying to de-escalate it that sounds just like him," Ratcliffe said. "He doesn't really get into it with anybody."
Allen-Whenu agreed.
"The suspect got aggravated and took it upon himself and drove into a crowd of people and killed the person who was trying to help the situation," she said. "There's not a way you can fathom that."
Police do have information on the suspect who fled the scene over the weekend as well as the SUV used in the crime.
Banks' family wishes more people would learn from their uncle's example and try to keep the peace instead of letting simple disputes escalate to violence.
In the meantime, they hope the suspect is arrested before he hurts anyone else.
"That wasn't supposed to happen to my uncle, but I hope the suspect gets what he deserves. I hope they get him off the street," said Taliyah.
"Even though we forgive him and pray for him, he needs to be held accountable," said Samaria.
In a written release on the incident, IMPD confirmed the disturbance occurred between two individuals who were known to one another. The disturbance was broken up by patrons at the establishment and the suspect was asked to leave.
Upon leaving the business, the suspect entered his vehicle and, in what is believed to be an intentional act, drove a full-size SUV into a crowd of people outside the establishment, ultimately striking the victim.
Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to call IMPD Homicide Detective Michal Dinnsen at (317) 327-3475 or e-mail the detective at Michal.Dinnsen@indy.gov. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS.
To support the GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Banks' family, click here.