On a June afternoon in Indianapolis, the life of 33-year-old Michael “Lil Mike” Hess was tragically cut short in a burst of violence that unfolded in front of neighbors and children. The incident, which took place on June 7, 2023, stemmed from a dispute that escalated with fatal consequences. Hess was outside a home in the 2400 block of North Kenyon Street, holding a small child, when a woman known in the neighborhood, Monique Cooley, drove up and began arguing with him.
The argument
intensified, and Cooley demanded that someone take the child from Hess's arms. Once the child was safe, Cooley fired multiple shots at Hess, inflicting injuries that would prove fatal. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his wounds the following day, as confirmed by the Marion County Coroner's Office. The brazen daytime shooting, rooted in a dispute reportedly over money from a gun sale involving Hess's sister-in-law, sent shockwaves through the community.
The investigation into Michael Hess's death was significantly aided by the cooperation of witnesses at the scene who identified Monique Cooley as the shooter. Their testimony, combined with surveillance video and cell phone records that placed Cooley at the location of the murder, built a strong case against her. Following the shooting, Cooley fled the state and was later located and arrested in Kenosha, Wisconsin, before being returned to Indianapolis to face charges.
Monique Cooley was charged with the murder of Michael Hess. After a two-day jury trial, she was found guilty. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears credited the community's willingness to come forward and testify as a crucial element in securing the conviction. In December 2024, Monique Cooley was sentenced to 78 years in prison for her role in the death of Michael Hess, bringing a measure of closure to a case that began with a heated argument and ended in a senseless loss of life.
