A 19-year-old Indiana man, Caden Smith, has been sentenced to 189 years in prison for a triple murder he committed at the age of 16. Smith was demonstrating how to convert a Glock into a machine gun when he killed Abdulla Mubarak, 17, Joseph Thomas, 18, and Michael James, 22.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears expressed his satisfaction with the sentence, stating that it underscored their commitment to holding violent individuals accountable. He also highlighted the role of unregulated firearms in the tragic incident. The prosecutor thanked the deputy prosecutors and investigators for their dedication, which he said had ensured justice for the victims and their families.
The murders took place around October 12, 2021. An officer from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department discovered the bodies of the three men, all with gunshot wounds, on a path filled with tall grass near South Meridian Street. Several spent shell casings were found at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Smith had lured the victims to the field over two nights under the pretense of showing them how a Glock switch works. This switch can transform a semiautomatic firearm into a machine gun. Prosecutors stated that Smith used this opportunity to kill the three men and rob them. Smith was identified as the suspect, and the murder weapon was found at his home.
The prosecutor expressed his sympathy for the victims’ families, stating that they would never see their loved ones grow up and live their lives. He added that the verdict ensured that Smith would likely spend the rest of his life in prison for his crimes.
Rumors of a possible serial killer emerged due to the killings occurring two days apart in a remote area. However, these rumors were quickly dispelled when Smith was arrested.
In 2022, a judge dismissed some crucial evidence, ruling that detectives had violated Smith’s Fourth Amendment rights during a search warrant. Smith was released from jail on a GPS ankle monitor, but was re-arrested on his 18th birthday after police discovered Snapchat photos of him with a gun and drugs.
The prosecutor acknowledged the long and challenging journey for the victims’ families, but expressed gratitude for the commitment of the investigators, deputy prosecutors, and various agencies that had ensured justice for the victims and their families.