In Elkhart, Indiana, on the evening of March 21, 2024, a family dispute turned deadly, ending the life of 50-year-old David Strowder Sr. The male victim was fatally shot inside a residence on Morton Avenue. Police were dispatched to the home around 7:25 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a person with injuries from a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Strowder deceased in a bedroom.
The initial investigation pointed to a familial connection in the tragic incident.
Strowder's own wife identified the alleged shooter as her brother-in-law, Michael Dandridge, who was 39 years old at the time. According to court documents, Dandridge had arrived at the house looking for Strowder. Witnesses reported that Dandridge confronted Strowder before the fatal shot was fired. After the shooting, Dandridge reportedly left the scene calmly, but not before warning his sister-in-law not to contact the authorities. Another witness was able to identify Dandridge from a photo lineup presented by the police.
In the wake of the shooting, a warrant was issued for Michael Dandridge's arrest, and he was subsequently charged with murder. After a series of legal proceedings, which included a continuance of his initial trial date, Dandridge ultimately pleaded guilty to the murder of David Strowder Sr. During the sentencing, prosecutors argued that Dandridge had taken the law into his own hands, while Strowder's family members shared the depth of their loss with the court. Dandridge offered an apology, claiming the shooting was not intentional. On October 9, 2025, he was sentenced to 50 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for his crime.
