On the evening of April 21, 2025, a fatal encounter unfolded in Marion, Indiana, forever altering the lives of two families. Seventeen-year-old Julio Lio Dayne Matamoros, a male of Hispanic descent, was shot in the chest outside a Noble Wine & Spirits on South Western Avenue. Despite being rushed to a local hospital and then transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, he succumbed to his injuries the following evening.
At the time of his death, Julio was a senior at Mississinewa High School, a talented baseball player who had recently been accepted to Indiana Wesleyan University. He was known for his love of family, friends, and sports.
The incident that led to Julio's untimely death was reportedly a transaction involving the sale of marijuana vape cartridges. According to court documents and witness statements, Julio had arranged to meet 18-year-old Cordel Bice for the sale. An argument erupted, during which Bice allegedly demanded the vape cartridges and then shot Julio. Before succumbing to his injury, Julio was able to identify his assailant to the police who arrived at the scene.
Law enforcement began an immediate investigation, and their attention quickly focused on Cordel Bice. A white Pontiac seen fleeing the scene was traced to an apartment complex, which ultimately led investigators to a residence on South Miller Avenue. Bice was apprehended there without incident. A witness later provided information that led to the recovery of the firearm used in the shooting from a trash can near 11th and Boots Street.
Following his arrest, Cordel Bice was charged with two counts of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, and theft. He is currently being held without bond as he awaits trial. The community of Marion has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of a young life, with vigils and memorials organized to honor Julio's memory. In the wake of this violence, counseling services have been made available to students and staff at Mississinewa High School to help them cope with the loss of their classmate and friend.
