ANDERSON — Members of the family of an Anderson man who was slain in his home earlier this month are speaking out about what they call the false public perception surrounding the man and his death.

Andre Blackmon, 36, was found dead in his Anderson home on May 5 after suffering a single gunshot wound to the head.

When marijuana was found in Blackmon’s car and home, police released the information to the local media.

Blackmon’s brother, the Rev. James Dixon of Providence Christian Church in Indianapolis, said Blackmon was portrayed as a drug dealer, making it less likely that his family would see justice served.

“That perception leads people to care less about getting justice,” Dixon said. “A drug dealer dies and no one cares.

“Those that perpetrated this crime aren’t portrayed as murderers or criminals, but as if it’s vigilante justice.”

Blackmon’s family members maintain that he was not a drug dealer, but a well-respected member of the community, an accomplished martial artist, and a valued member of several local church organizations.

Revealing the real Blackmon, they said, will ensure that everyone who has information about the crime reports each detail to the police.

The community needs justice, Dixon said. “That’s not just one shot that ran through him,” he said. “It ran through our community.”

Blackmon was born and raised in Anderson and joined the Army in 1990. He served for four years before returning home to work in a mortgage company.

According to his mother, Elaine Blackmon, he then enrolled at Anderson University and majored in marketing for three years.

During this time, Blackmon became involved in the church community and even led Sunday school and Bible class for Lighthouse Family Worship Center in Anderson.

While the church’s pastor, Tyrone Vertner, recovered from an accident, Blackmon filled in. “Andre stepped in and did the teaching for Sunday school and Bible study for six months,” Vertner said. “In 1998, that’s when he gave his heart to the lord.”

Vertner said Blackmon then attended Indiana Christian University for seminary training as Vertner’s assistant.

While he has been portrayed as a drug dealer, Dixon said, Blackmon, through his work with the church, found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum, working to reform drug addicts.