Prosecutor wants 14-year-old charged as adult in Muncie deadly shooting case
By Matt Christy,
2024-09-05
MUNCIE, Ind. — Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman wants a 14-year-old involved in a deadly Muncie shooting to stand trial as an adult alongside the other five co-conspirators already facing serious felonies in connection to the case.
On the night of Aug. 14, 15-year-old LataJohne Phillips was found suffering from gunshot wounds to his left leg and head at a playground in the 2900 block of North Elgin Street. Phillips was flown to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis but did not survive his injuries.
Scene of the deadly shooting in Muncie that claimed a 15-year-old’s life.
Scene of the deadly shooting in Muncie that claimed a 15-year-old’s life.
Scene of the deadly shooting in Muncie that claimed a 15-year-old’s life.
In the wake of the deadly shooting, six teens and young adults were arrested for taking part in the alleged ambush shooting of Phillips:
K-Shaun English, 16 years old
Robert Graham III, 17 years old
Ricky Nathan, 19 years old
Dasha Lanise Eckford, 19 years old
Atrevion Lamar Nathan, 21 years old
Unnamed 14-year-old boy
English and Graham face the most serious charges, each being charged with one count of murder in connection to Phillips’ death. Eckford, Ricky Nathan and Atrevion Nathan all face conspiracy to commit robbery resulting in serious bodily injury — a Level 2 Felony.
So far, the unnamed 14-year-old who was with the group on the night of Phillips’ death has avoided joining his older co-conspirators by facing serious felony charges. But the prosecutor’s office in Delaware County is looking to change that.
In a recent filing, the prosecutors called upon the court to waive the 14-year-old into adult court where the juvenile could face the same murder charges that English and Graham face.
“The (juvenile) is charged with acts that would be murder if committed by an adult and is also charged with acts that if committed by an adult would be robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony,” the petition claims.
The prosecutors argued that there is “cause to believe that the juvenile committed the acts” and argued it was “in the best interest of the safety and welfare of the community for the juvenile to stand trial as an adult.”
A hearing to consider the request is set for Sept. 11. The 14-year-old is currently detained in the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center.
If charged as an adult, the juvenile’s identity will be revealed.
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