In the early hours of June 30, 2022, Anthony 'Tony' Garland, a 34-year-old man from Indianapolis, was working his shift as a Lyft driver, not knowing it would be his last. His wife reported him missing when he failed to return home from his work driving their 2013 GMC Acadia. Later that morning, firefighters discovered his body lying face down in the grass in the 3000 block of Rolling Dunes Drive.
He had been shot multiple times, and the coroner would later determine he died by homicide after being shot six times. The only personal belongings found on him were a small amount of change.
The investigation into the death of the husband and father quickly focused on his last ride-share passenger. Lyft records indicated that 24-year-old Devin Powell was the last person to request a ride from Garland. Using GPS, detectives tracked Garland's stolen GMC Acadia to Merrillville, Indiana, where they found Powell behind the wheel. Authorities noted what appeared to be blood stains on the center console of the vehicle. Inside the SUV, investigators discovered both Garland's and Powell's wallets, along with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was later matched to the bullets recovered from Garland's body.
During questioning, Powell's story changed. He initially claimed he found the vehicle running and unoccupied. However, he later admitted to requesting the Lyft ride and shooting Garland. Powell claimed the shooting was in self-defense, alleging that Garland had tried to take his money. After the shooting, Powell pulled Garland's body from the car, leaving him just yards from his own apartment. He then drove to his apartment, changed his clothes, purchased seat covers to hide the blood stains, and vacuumed up the shell casings before driving to a family function in Merrillville.
Devin Powell was arrested and charged with murder, robbery, and theft. In December 2024, Powell pleaded guilty to murder. In court, with Garland's family and friends present, he admitted to shooting the youth sports coach multiple times. As a result of his guilty plea, other charges were dismissed. In January 2025, a judge sentenced Powell to 55 years in prison for the murder of Anthony Garland. The judge did allow for the possibility of a sentence modification after 50 years.
