In the fall of 2017, a 28-year-old man from Indianapolis, John Beasley Jr., found himself in a fatal encounter that began through a mobile app. Beasley had arranged to meet two teenagers, 17-year-old Toney Hodges and a 15-year-old, under the pretense of trading marijuana for their Air Jordan sneakers. The group planned to meet on Star Magnolia Place, near 38th and Sherman, on the northeast side of the city.
The supposed exchange, however, was a setup for a robbery.
According to court documents, the teenagers had no intention of trading the sneakers. Instead, their plan was to brandish a weapon and steal both the shoes and the drugs from Beasley. The situation tragically escalated, and during the meet-up, the 15-year-old admitted to shooting Beasley.
On October 16, 2017, John Beasley Jr. was discovered shot to death inside his vehicle at the apartment complex. Following an investigation, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police arrested Hodges and his younger accomplice. Prosecutors made the decision to charge Toney Hodges as an adult for his involvement in the murder.
