In the pre-dawn hours of a cold November morning in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the lives of three women were irrevocably changed. Nicole Marie Saylor, a 36-year-old female, was returning home from a late shift with her friends and co-workers, Kayla Marie Harris, 24, and Danielle Carter. As they approached Harris's residence on East Sherwood Terrace on November 9, 2017, a figure emerged from the darkness and opened fire in a brutal and calculated ambush.
When police arrived at the scene around
4 a.m., they found a chaotic and tragic scene. Nicole Marie Saylor was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. Kayla Harris and Danielle Carter were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Harris later succumbed to her injuries, leaving Carter as the lone survivor of the horrific attack. Carter, who was shot multiple times, eventually awoke in the hospital and was able to speak with investigators, though she did not see the face of the assailant.
The investigation into the triple shooting revealed that the attack was not a random act of violence. The Fort Wayne Police Department quickly determined that the women had been targeted. A neighbor reported seeing a man in a dark hoodie fleeing the scene shortly after the gunshots rang out. Another witness, who lived next door, told police they heard the gunshots and saw a man they recognized, but the identity of this individual was not publicly released due to the ongoing investigation. The motive behind the shooting is believed to be personal, with the investigation suggesting that Kayla Harris may have been the primary target.
In the years that have followed, the case has remained unsolved, and no arrests have been made. Investigators have explored several potential suspects, including an abusive ex-boyfriend of Kayla Harris who had reportedly made threats against her, and her estranged husband. However, no definitive evidence has emerged to link anyone to the crime. A person of interest who matched a witness's description died before he could be thoroughly questioned by police, further complicating the investigation. The community and the families of Nicole Saylor and Kayla Harris are still awaiting answers and justice in this tragic and unsolved case.
