Suspect Arrested in 2024 Indianapolis Waffle House Shooting

Saleem El-Amin was taken into custody in Wisconsin for his role in a fatal shooting that left one person dead.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Violence

Suspect Arrested in 2024 Indianapolis Waffle House Shooting

Police have arrested Saleem El-Amin in Appleton, Wisconsin, in connection with a February 2024 shootout at an Indianapolis Waffle House. The incident resulted in the death of 35-year-old Crystal Kennebrew and left five other individuals wounded.

Why it matters

The arrest marks a major development in the ongoing investigation into the shooting, which authorities say involved at least 50 gunshots fired inside the restaurant. Investigators tracked El-Amin using witness testimony and surveillance footage from the store.

Darrell Turner, one of the three men originally charged, pleaded guilty to three felony counts and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. Khayree Sims remains a wanted fugitive.

The players

Saleem El-Amin

He is a suspect in the 2024 Waffle House shooting who was recently apprehended in Wisconsin.

Crystal Kennebrew

She was a 35-year-old victim who died during the shooting incident in Indianapolis.

Darrell Turner

He is a co-defendant who entered a guilty plea to three felony charges related to the shooting.

Khayree Sims

He is a suspect identified by court records as the individual who fired the fatal shots and currently remains at large.

The details

Police allege that the conflict, which saw 50 rounds fired, claimed the life of Crystal Kennebrew. Investigators relied on internal security camera footage and witness interviews to identify and locate El-Amin in Appleton.

Timeline

  1. February 2024: A fatal shootout occurred at an Indianapolis Waffle House.

  2. September 2026: Darrell Turner entered a plea agreement for his role in the shooting.

  3. Week of October 2, 2026: Police arrested Saleem El-Amin in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Legal Context

The 2024 Indianapolis Waffle House shooting remains a high-profile case study in violent crime investigations within urban Indiana centers. This arrest follows a broader trend of cross-state police cooperation to apprehend suspects fleeing regional jurisdictions.

The apprehension of a key suspect provides a sense of progress for residents concerned by the high-profile violence in the city. The ongoing search for the remaining wanted individual serves as a reminder for the public to stay alert and contact authorities with any relevant information.

The takeaway

This case illustrates the critical role that surveillance technology and witness accounts play in tracking suspects across state lines. Legal proceedings continue to unfold for the individuals involved in this significant incident of public violence.

Further reading

For more on criminal investigations in the area, visit the Violence section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox 59.