INDIANAPOLIS – A 17-year-old high school student has been charged as an adult with the murder of an 18-year-old man who died in April after being shot at a gas station and convenience store on Indianapolis’ east side, according to court filings.
Malachi May died two days after being shot around 11:20 p.m. on April 15 at the Shell Oil station on East 34th Street and Emerson Avenue.
Sir Braylon Howell, of Plainfield, is charged with two charges of murder, felony robbery, and misdemeanor firearm possession by a child. He was arrested on April 28th, and his case was transferred from juvenile court to adult court on Monday. During his first hearing Tuesday morning in Marion Superior Court 31, Howell was appointed indigent counsel at the court’s expense.
According to court filings, Howell attends Plainfield High School.
Officers responding to the incident discovered May in a blue Dodge Dakota pickup with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transferred to IU Health Methodist Hospital and died on April 17.
On April 16, police told News 8 that the suspect approached the man, who died while seated in a vehicle, and fired. According to officers, the male attempted to drive away but smashed into a nearby retention wall.
Detective Christopher L. Morgan of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department came to the site and led the investigation.
Before the incident, surveillance footage from the petrol station showed two suspects approaching May’s vehicle. The inquiry discovered that May was attempting to sell a weapon, which may have contributed to the incident.
Detectives identified Howell as a suspect after reviewing surveillance footage, conducting witness interviews, and analysing forensic evidence. Howell was found and detained after officers monitored his movements using social media posts and other investigative tools. A striking green and white jacket matching the description of the one seen on the CCTV footage was discovered during a search of Howell’s residence.
A social media post assisted authorities in locating the gun believed to be for sale, a Glock G19 Gen 5 9-mm pistol, at Wes Montgomery Park, a few blocks east of the station where the shooting occurred.
The IMPD stated Tuesday afternoon that a jail booking photo of Howell was not immediately available for public release.
Source: 17-year-old charged as adult in murder of 18-year-old at Indianapolis gas station
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