Prosecutor claims racial slurs led to deadly shooting outside Indy bar

INDIANAPOLIS -- Prosecutors believe a combination of alcohol and racial slurs led to a deadly shooting outside a bar on Indy's south side.




Murder charges have now been filed against the accused shooter. According to court documents, the deadly shooting in the parking lot of the Mucky Duck Pub took place after the suspect was kicked out of the bar for causing a disturbance.

Once outside, the accused killer got in his car when he was confronted by the victim, who initially tried to play the role of peacemaker. It all started around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 17.




28-year-old Jereme Dillingham broke up a fight between two men. Video cameras even showed Dillingham shake hands and hug the man who just minutes later would shoot him to death.




"These are the cases that break your heart because this guy died for no reason," said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.




Prosecutor Mears charged 21-year-old Kaeden Douglas with murder after the suspect allegedly shouted numerous racial slurs to provoke the deadly disturbance.

"What's alleged is there is a constant pattern of racial epithets being hurled at people," said Mears.




Court documents show police talked to a dozen witnesses at the bar who all told similar stories of the intoxicated suspect using vile language after he was asked to leave the business.




"You hear a very consistent theme that you had someone who had too much to drink who was saying hurtful and racist language toward people in the bar," said Mears.








Once in the parking lot, video cameras show Dillingham lean into the suspect's passenger side window when he was shot in the chest.




The suspect quickly sped away but was tracked down to his home on Indy's east side. After being arrested, the suspect told police he was too drunk to remember the shooting before claiming he acted in self-defense and eventually denying being involved in the shooting at all.




Prosecutor Mears believes Dillingham died trying to prevent the situation from escalating to violence.




"A family is grieving a loss of someone who did not need to lose their life that day," said Mears.  "He went out of his way to make sure a situation like this did not occur."




Prior to the murder, court documents show Douglas did not have a criminal history. He's now being held without bond pending trial. A felony firearms sentencing enhancement has also been filed by the prosecutor's office.



via: https://fox59.com/news/prosecutor-claims-racial-slurs-led-to-deadly-shooting-outside-indy-bar/