Marine veteran gunned down in McDonald's drive-thru lane at Bedford

Loved ones are mourning a former U.S. Marine gunned down early Sunday in an apparent road-rage shooting at a McDonald's drive-thru in Bedford.

Justin N. Lampkins, 25, was shot about 1:20 a.m. Sunday outside McDonald's, 3302 16th St., Bedford Police said. He died later at IU Health Bedford.

"He's an all-around amazing guy," Lampkins' sister Alyssa Stahl told IndyStar.

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Evan Schaffer, 22, Orleans, was arrested for murder in Lampkins' death. Schaffer appeared for an initial hearing Tuesday morning in Lawrence Superior Court.

Lampkins' sister said there were two witnesses in the truck with her brother at the time of the shooting. They told her Lampkins' truck was in line at the drive-thru when someone honked a horn at a pickup truck near the front.

A large man got out of that vehicle and started walking. The vehicle that blew the horn took off, Stahl said.

Lampkins and his passengers were getting ready to place their food order when the man reached into the open driver's window and punched Lampkins in the face.

Lampkins stepped out of his truck and the man turned and shot him, Stahl said.

"My brother just got out to defend himself," Stahl, 26, said.

The shooting suspect wasn't driving, Bedford Police Assistant Chief Joe DeWees said. He got into the back seat of the pickup, which then left the scene.

Bedford police stopped the vehicle near Patrick Robbins Way and Ind. 37. Schaffer did not cooperate, DeWees said. He was arrested after an officer used a Taser.

DeWees did not dispute Stahl's account of the events, but he stressed that the investigation was not yet complete.

"We haven't determined who actually sounded the horn yet," DeWees said. "Just because you honked your horn shouldn't lead to a fight and murder."

Lampkins graduated from Bloomington High School North in 2010 and joined the Marines in 2011. He was honorably discharged in 2015.

Lampkins, Stahl said, was a loving uncle to her three children. Her son, Ethan, 4, bears a strong resemblance to his uncle, she said.

"He would do anything for my kids and loved them beyond anything," Stahl said.

The family is still trying to cope with the loss, she said.

Lampkins' calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday and funeral at 11a.m. Saturday at the Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third St., Bloomington.

Alyssa's husband Eric Stahl, 30, said Lampkins had a huge heart and was always the person in the family everyone else turned to for advice and help through hard times.

"He was the true epitome of a Marine. He was a true hero who wanted to serve his country," Eric Stahl said. "He would have defended anyone in any situation."

Bedford is about 24 miles south of Bloomington.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.