Ron Gee preached peace in Indy streets. Activists say the work will continue after his violent death

Indianapolis is grieving the loss of Ron Gee, a community leader who was shot and killed last week at a northeast side gas station. His violent death is particularly heartbreaking as Gee was an activist devoted to bringing peace to the city's streets.

His given name was Ron Frieson. The 39-year old was known commonly as Gee, and praised for the work he did through his anti-violence group Cease Fire Indy.

Two of his friends, bound in the activist and grassroots work of violence reduction, say they are still coming to terms with Gee's death. 

Dee Ross is the founder of the Ross Foundation, a non-profit group focused on providing resources and addressing poverty’s many root causes. Ross said he and Gee began to work on gun violence reduction efforts almost 10 years ago.

“People were trying to slander our name, our character, people didn't believe in us, people doubted us. But we kept pushing each other through adversity,” Ross said of their early days.

Ross and Gee are both from the far east side, a neighborhood where residents struggle with disinvestment and disparity. The two men spent long hours together.

"In some of the most dangerous streets, marching, shouting, screaming ‘Cease fire’ and ‘Peace in the streets’, and ‘Whose streets, our streets,'" Ross said. "There's times where we didn't eat, we didn't sleep, there was times where we've been at the hospital visiting victims all the way to 4, 5 a.m. in the morning."

The work, often focused on the root causes of violence, includes addressing generational wealth gaps, education and food access, employment opportunity and conflict resolution.

Ross said he and Gee inspired each other. And he said they were on the phone the night before Gee was killed.

“He was talking to me about de-escalating a situation. He was always thinking about solving problems in our communities and brainstorming with me on how we can rectify the situation and bring people together,” Ross said.

James Wilson is the founder of Circle Up Indy. The group works to reduce violence through grassroots efforts, including housing and employment assistance.

Wilson started his work in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood on the east side where he is from. He said solutions have to be community based.

“We see the struggles, the drug addictions, the problems, and it all goes back to where 'I can't pay my bills, I can't help my kids,'” Wilson said.

Wilson knows the impact of violence. He was severely injured after being shot outside his home this past New Year’s Eve. He said the recovery has been difficult, mentally and physically.

“Still trying to walk, you know, move around and use my hand that got shot three times with an AK-47,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s case is still unsolved. Likewise, Indianapolis police has not arrested anyone in connection with Gee’s case, and said the investigation is active and ongoing.

During this past week, hundreds of community members attended vigils to honor Ron Gee and his life. His family was in attendance at a balloon release at the gas station near 38th and Arlington Avenue where Gee was found shot in his car.

Dee Ross led the ceremony and urged people to remember the love Gee tried to spread.

“That’s how we got to show up for each other, show more love, spread more love, spread more hugs,” Ross said. “Talk to each other.”

Ross said Gee’s children, namely his oldest son, Ron Frieson Jr., is committed to continue the work of his father.

“He’s left a legacy now, his children and their peers who are going to take Cease Fire to the next journey, you know, to keep the legacy alive,” Ross said.

James Wilson has been present this week as the community grieves.

“The sad part about it is that we keep having homicides that happen not just in our community but to community leaders who're trying to advocate for the opposite,” Wilson said.

Both Wilson and Ross agree that it will take everyone, across all communities in Indianapolis, to make change. And they say that could start with elected officials.

Wilson said only one Indianapolis official, City-County Councilor Keith Graves, put out a statement after Gee’s death.

“(If we’re) serious about evolving our community, that takes all of us and bringing that awareness, and noticing the work that this brother put in goes a long way,” Wilson said.

Indianapolis has recorded more than 100 homicides this year. The number is trending down after the city marked a record 252 homicides in 2021.