In Evansville, Indiana, on the evening of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, a young man's life was tragically cut short in what authorities have described as a senseless act of violence. Ethan Stenftenagel, a 23-year-old resident of the area, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the AMC movie theater on the city's west side. The incident unfolded just before 7:00 p.m.
when Stenftenagel met with three individuals with the intention of selling them vape cartridges.
The meeting took a fatal turn when an attempted robbery escalated to murder. Stenftenagel was shot twice in the torso while inside a vehicle. Following the shooting, the vehicle he was in crashed into a wooded area adjacent to the theater. Despite the efforts of first responders, Ethan Stenftenagel died at the scene from the injuries he sustained. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed to officially determine the cause of death.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement launched an investigation that quickly led to the identification and arrest of three suspects. Eighteen-year-old Pierce Butler, nineteen-year-old Kardae Langley, and nineteen-year-old Deshawndre Brown were taken into custody in connection with the homicide. All three individuals are now facing charges of murder and robbery for their alleged roles in the death of Ethan Stenftenagel. Authorities have indicated that more charges could be forthcoming and that the investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff, Noah Robinson, lamented the "senseless tragedy" and issued a stern warning that anyone found to have assisted the suspects would be referred to the prosecutor's office.
Born in Jasper, Indiana on February 7, 2003, Ethan was a graduate of Pike Central High School who had been working in the restaurant and warehouse industries. He was a father who loved playing with his children and cherished spending time with his friends and family. Known for his love of gaming, he was deeply cared for and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his fiancée, their children, his mother, a sister, and his grandmother.
