'Deserved more than this' Indianapolis mother dies days after shooting inside home

This story contains mention of domestic violence. Abuse can be reported by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). 

Britney Long’s happiness stemmed from helping other people, according to those closest to the 27-year-old. 

She found her life’s joy in her four young children. She beamed in pictures. When someone needed a lending hand, she’d connect them to social services.  

Her family now laments that the love Long gave so freely, however, appeared to also be her downfall.  

Long died Jan. 10 after four days in a hospital from a gunshot wound allegedly from her fiancé. Jomal Tyler, 32, has been arrested and charged in her killing, which was ruled a homicide by the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Indianapolis police in court records said Tyler told detectives Long died after his gun “went off” in their bed. They later learned he was the subject of an open report of domestic violence by the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Long’s father, Derrick Jackson, has no doubt her death was a culmination of the toxic relationship that turned deadly.  

While Long remained in the hospital, Tyler was jailed on a preliminary charge of attempted murder. His formal charges were downgraded to criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, according to online court records. His cash bond was set to $2,000, much to the chagrin of Jackson.  

“The state is telling me my daughter’s life is worth nearly the price of a root canal,” Jackson said. 

Tyler did not have an attorney listed as of Thursday afternoon.   

When asked whether Tyler’s charge will be heightened after Long’s death, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing.  

A probable cause affidavit written by police said Tyler called 911 shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, telling dispatchers “the gun just went off” and he was going to prison, then disconnected. Responding officers headed to the home on North Euclid Avenue on the east side and found Long injured in the bed. 

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A Canik 9mm handgun with a shell casing inside was found at the foot of the mattress. Outside, an SUV parked in the driveway was running and had blood inside.

Police said Tyler appeared in hysterics and repeatedly told officers “the gun was in the bed.” He was briefly taken to a hospital in the hours after the shooting.  

Long’s four children were inside the home at the time. Officers contacted the Indiana Department of Children’s Services to place them in emergency foster care. They further learned social workers had an open case of domestic violence against Tyler.  

Investigators asked about the domestic violence report during interviews with Tyler, who responded the couple argues “like everyone.”  

Jackson wants his daughter’s life to be defined by more than her horrific death.  

“You take away her being a mother, all that, she was a climber,” he said. Long spent many years going in and out of foster homes. She only knew abusive dating relationships.

Despite that, Jackson said, she made a point to give back to her loved ones. He recalled a time Long bought him a $2,000 camera lens for his photography hobby.  

Even after her horrific death, Long is helping others as an organ donor.

"Now there are eight people out there who soon won't wake up in pain," he said.

Contact Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com