Josiah Small, a 12-year-old boy, had his life tragically cut short on the evening of Friday, October 27, 2023, in South Bend, Indiana, just a week after celebrating his birthday. He was a sixth-grade student at Dickerson Middle School where he was a member of the football team. Those who knew him remember a respectful child who enjoyed anime, wrestling, and spending time with his baby sister.
On that fateful night, Josiah was walking with a group of three other boys near the intersection
of Prairie Avenue and Indiana Avenue. An encounter occurred with two men in a vehicle, which escalated quickly and violently. The two men, later identified as 21-year-old Nagomba White, Jr. and 18-year-old Amarion Cutler, reportedly chased the boys into an alley and opened fire. When police responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 9:30 p.m., they found Josiah with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 14-year-old who was with Josiah was also shot but survived his injuries.
The investigation led by the South Bend Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit identified White and Cutler as the suspects. By November 6, both men were charged in connection with the shooting. Nagomba White Jr. was apprehended in Indianapolis on November 9. Amarion Cutler was arrested in South Bend on the morning of November 14, with the assistance of U.S. Marshals.
Both men faced multiple felony charges, including murder and attempted murder. Nagomba White Jr. was charged with Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Attempted Murder, and Attempted Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon. Amarion Cutler's charges included Aiding, Inducing or Causing Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Attempted Murder, and Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon. Both men were held at the St. Joseph County Jail without bond. Subsequently, both suspects were sentenced for their involvement in Josiah's death. Amarion Cutler received a 25-year prison sentence under a plea agreement. Nagomba White was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison, receiving 45 years for murder and an additional five years for battery with a deadly weapon.
