Crime Solvers Central
CSC
268 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Dakota Merritt death by force case profile photo

Dakota Merritt

Case from Fort-wayne, IN dated Aug 29, 2023

Victim Details

Dakota Merritt

Male

White / Caucasian

Fort-wayne

IN

2023-08-29

19

Dakota

Merritt

Accidental

07/13/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
In the late summer of 2023, the life of a young Fort Wayne man was unexpectedly cut short. Dakota Scott Merritt, a 19-year-old male, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. First responders were called to the 5400 block of Southern Court, where they found Dakota Merritt and pronounced him deceased at the scene. The Allen County Coroner's Office later determined that his death was the result of a gunshot wound to the chest. Following an investigation, the manner of death was ruled to be an accid ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Dakota Merritt, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • https://www.21alivenews.com: One person is dead in accidental shooting, FWPD says
  • WANE 15: Coroner rules fatal southeast side shooting an accident
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 5 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone else been following Dakota's case? It's just so tragic to think about all the unfulfilled... ...Read More
    09/13/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Dakota Merritt

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in
    GoFundMe fundraiser

    Other Cases from Fort-wayne, Indiana

    Dennis Dwayne Starr death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Dennis Dwayne Starr

    Death: Jul 25, 2023
    In the early morning hours of a Tuesday in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a passing motorist noticed a vehicle l ...Read More
    Breon Lamar Scott death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Breon Lamar Scott

    Death: Jun 26, 2017
    Breon Lamar Scott, a 28-year-old man Black man from Fort Wayne, Indiana, died on June 26, 2017, with t ...Read More
    Johnny Ray Yates Sr. death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Johnny Ray Yates Sr.

    Death: Nov 28, 2022
    On the evening of November 28, 2022, a violent transaction in Fort Wayne, Indiana, claimed the life e ...Read More
    Romeo Cansler death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Romeo Cansler

    Death: Nov 28, 2016
    On November 28, 2016, authorities in Fort Wayne, Indiana, were called to a scene off Holgate Drive w ...Read More
    Brian Quintana death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Brian Quintana

    Death: Aug 14, 2016
    On August 14, 2016, 18-year-old Brian Quintana, a male resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, went to the e ...Read More
    Nicholas Palacio death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Nicholas Palacio

    Death: Jun 11, 2014
    In the summer of 2014, the life of 29-year-old Nicholas Xavier Palacio, a male resident of Fort Wayn y ...Read More
    Jaden Nelson death by force case in Fort-wayne, IN

    Jaden Nelson

    Death: May 19, 2020
    Jaden Diaz Lee Nelson, a 19-year-old Black / African American male, was killed in Fort Wayne, Indian a ...Read More