On a Wednesday morning in Indianapolis, the life of 22-year-old Daniel Gaiter, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On May 29, 2019, Gaiter was discovered outside of a business on South Kitley Avenue, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Police were called to the scene at approximately 8:30 a.m. and pronounced him dead. Remembered by loved ones as happy, fun, and the life of the party, Gaiter's sudden death was ruled a homicide, prompting an immediate investigation by the Indianapolis
Metropolitan Police Department.
The investigation into Gaiter's death moved swiftly, and before long, a suspect was identified and apprehended. Hasler Rousselin, who was 25 years old at the time, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. The motive and the circumstances that led to the violent encounter were not immediately made public, but the evidence gathered by detectives was sufficient to bring charges against him.
Hasler Rousselin was formally charged with the murder of Daniel Gaiter. His case proceeded through the legal system, culminating in a judgment on October 7, 2022. While the initial charge was murder, Rousselin reached a plea agreement and was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, defined as an intentional killing committed under 'sudden heat.' A related charge for using a firearm in the commission of the offense was vacated as part of the agreement. Rousselin was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in the Department of Correction for his role in Daniel Gaiter's death.
