In the summer of 2017, on July 16th, the life of 19-year-old Justin Crowder was tragically cut short in a violent encounter inside an Indianapolis, Indiana apartment on the city's north side. He, along with two other young men, Dominique Miller, 25, and Jordan Wright, 25, were found deceased, all suffering from gunshot wounds in what police would later describe as a robbery that had escalated into a triple homicide.
The initial call to police came in around 6 p.m., leading them to the grim discovery at the Somerset Lakes Apartments.
The investigation into the murders quickly moved forward, and it was determined that the apartment and the individuals within had been specifically targeted. What began as a plan to rob Justin Crowder spiraled into a fatal event for all three men present. The ensuing police work led to the arrest of five individuals connected to the crime. The primary perpetrator was identified as Troy Ward, who had entered the apartment with the intention to rob Crowder but ultimately shot and killed him, as well as Miller and Wright.
Justice for the three victims came through the court system. Following a six-day trial, Troy Ward was convicted on multiple counts, including three counts of murder, three counts of felony murder, and three counts of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, along with a handgun charge. His actions earned him a sentence of 180 years in prison. Another key figure, Martell Williams, was also convicted on several felony murder and robbery charges and was sentenced to 145 years.
Three other men involved in the deadly robbery also faced legal consequences for their roles. Stanley Williams and Devante Gilbert both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and received nine-year sentences. As part of their plea agreements, they testified against Ward and Martell Williams during their trials. A fifth accomplice also pleaded guilty to lesser charges, receiving a sentence that spanned several decades. The resolution of the case brought lengthy prison sentences for all five individuals involved in the tragic deaths of Justin Crowder, Dominique Miller, and Jordan Wright.
