In the early hours of August 31, 2026, a violent encounter in an apartment on Bayside Drive in Indianapolis brought a tragic end to the life of 33-year-old Venel Emile. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to the residence shortly before 1 a.m. following a 911 call reporting shots fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered Emile and a woman both suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a local hospital, but Emile succumbed to a gunshot wound to the abdomen shortly after arrival. The Marion County Coroner's Office subsequently ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the identification and arrest of a suspect, 50-year-old Bertony Theagene. The surviving female victim told police that she and Emile were in her bedroom when Theagene, her ex-boyfriend, broke into the apartment. She reported that as she attempted to confront Theagene, he shot her before she could reach him. Emile then moved towards Theagene, at which point Theagene allegedly fired again, striking Emile. After the shooting, Theagene fled the immediate scene but was found by police hiding under a nearby stairwell. He reportedly attempted to turn the gun on himself, but the weapon malfunctioned, and he was taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Theagene was charged with murder, attempted murder, and burglary. In his statement to the police, he claimed that he went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment to confront her about having another man over. He admitted to bringing a gun for his own protection, stating he was unsure if the new boyfriend would be armed. Theagene alleged that the shootings were accidental, claiming the gun discharged during a struggle with his ex-girlfriend and then again when Emile charged at him. The case against Bertony Theagene is proceeding through the legal system, with a jury trial scheduled for December 15, 2026. This incident, rooted in a domestic dispute, resulted in the death of Venel Emile and the serious injury of his companion, leaving a lasting impact on all involved. The overview of the case reflects a domestic situation that escalated to a fatal act of violence, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.
