Ethan Bell

On a Christmas Eve morning in 2020, the life of 18-year-old Ethan Scott Bell of Martinsville, Indiana, was tragically cut short. Bell, a male, was known by his family as a compassionate and dedicated young man who loved his family immensely and always sought to be the man of the house for his siblings. He had earned a diploma from the Central Nine Career Center and was employed as a forklift operator at an Amazon facility in Plainfield. His family remembers him as a protector with a vibrant spirit.

The fatal incident unfolded at a Circle K gas station in Bargersville. Bell, along with 17-year-old Tony Cristobal and 18-year-old Devon McHugh, was involved in a prearranged meeting that turned violent. According to McHugh, the lone survivor, the trio had planned to purchase marijuana from individuals they were meeting. They had allegedly conspired to rob the sellers, bringing only half of the agreed-upon price with the intention of feigning having a weapon by using a cell phone. They did not believe a real gun was necessary.

The plan went horribly wrong. During the encounter in a red Chevy Cruze, gunfire erupted. Both Ethan Bell and Tony Cristobal were shot and died at the scene. McHugh sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and flank but survived. Investigators later found sixteen shell casings inside the vehicle, which was riddled with bullet holes. Despite the passage of time and the identification of a person of interest, no arrests have been made in connection with the double homicide, and the investigation remains open.

While the individuals responsible for the shooting have not been charged, the survivor, Devon McHugh, faced legal consequences for his role in the events of that night. In August 2021, he was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. McHugh later pleaded guilty to the charge. In July 2022, he was sentenced to serve two years in prison followed by two years of probation. For the family of Ethan Bell, the lack of resolution in finding those who took his life continues to compound their grief as they still await justice.