In the late hours of a September evening in Gary, Indiana, a beloved youth basketball coach's life was tragically cut short. Glynon Nelson, a 38-year-old male, was discovered on the side of the road near the intersection of Old Hobart Road and Atcheson Drive on September 23, 2021. He had been shot twice in the back of the head. At the time of his death, Nelson was working as a rideshare driver, a job he took on to support his passion for mentoring young athletes.
Nelson was last seen on
surveillance footage at a gas station in Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood shortly before his body was found. His vehicle, a blue 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, was missing from the scene. The investigation into his death revealed that he was likely killed while on the job. Known affectionately as 'Coach,' Nelson was a pillar in his Crown Point community. He had founded the Northwest Indiana AAU basketball program, Victory Elite, providing a positive outlet for boys of all ages. His dedication was such that he would often use his own money to ensure the children on his teams had uniforms and shoes.
The investigation into Glynon Nelson's murder led to the arrests of two men from Gary, Robert E. Simms III and Isiah Lenburg. In October 2021, both men were charged with murder and other felonies in connection with his death and were held without bail. According to court records, Nelson had complied with the suspects' demands during what appeared to be a robbery. Despite his cooperation, he was shot. It is alleged that one of the suspects took a gun from the glovebox of Nelson's vehicle. Following the shooting, his body was left by the roadside.
In a later development in the case, in August of 2023, it was reported that one of the co-defendants, Isiah Lenburg, had admitted his role in the crime. The legal proceedings against both men are ongoing as the community continues to mourn the loss of a man remembered for his selflessness and dedication to helping youth.
