In the early hours of April 2, 2022, a night out in Indianapolis turned tragic for 27-year-old Deja Nicole Morse. Morse was at JD's Pub on the northwest side of the city when a fight that began inside the bar spilled out into the parking lot. Gunfire erupted, and Morse was struck.
In a desperate attempt to save her, friends tried to rush her to the hospital.
However, their journey was cut short when the vehicle they were in was involved in a rollover crash on Interstate 65, just a short distance from the medical center. Emergency services arrived at the crash scene and transported Morse to the hospital, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation into her death led police to Herschel Anderson, who was 27 at the time. According to court documents, Anderson had brought Morse to the bar that night. He later allegedly told one of Morse's relatives that he had fired his weapon to protect her from another man involved in the altercation. Anderson was arrested and initially charged with murder.
In October 2024, Herschel Anderson reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. The murder charge was dismissed, and he pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and carrying a handgun with a prior felony conviction. He was sentenced to ten years, with six to be served in prison and four years suspended, three of which will be on probation.
