In the early evening of May 28, 2017, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 20-year-old Jared K. Foltz in an Elkhart, Indiana, Menards parking lot. Foltz, a young man known for his sense of humor and infectious smile, was found deceased in the driver's seat of his Jeep Commander around 7:30 p.m. The tragic event unfolded over what was supposed to be a marijuana transaction, a deal that spiraled into a fatal encounter.
That evening, Jared had arranged to meet 18-year-old
Jarrod Spigutz to sell him marijuana. Spigutz arrived at the agreed-upon location and entered the passenger side of Jared's vehicle. At some point during the transaction, a dispute arose. Spigutz would later claim to police that Foltz had asked for the marijuana back, which led to the fatal shooting. The aftermath was grim, with Jared having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Several spent shell casings were discovered on the front passenger seat of his vehicle, a chilling testament to the violence that had occurred.
Witnesses at the scene provided crucial information to the Elkhart Police, describing a Toyota Camry with front-end damage leaving the area. Within a mere ten minutes of the initial call, an officer spotted and stopped a vehicle matching the description on Sylvan Court. The driver was identified as Jarrod Spigutz. A subsequent search of his Camry revealed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and suspected marijuana. During questioning, Spigutz admitted to shooting Foltz. One witness later identified Spigutz in a photo lineup as the individual seen exiting the passenger side of the Jeep after gunshots were heard.
Jarrod Spigutz was arrested and subsequently charged with murder, carrying a handgun without a license, and possession of marijuana. In January 2018, a jury found him guilty of the murder of Jared Foltz. The following month, an Elkhart County judge sentenced Spigutz to 60 years in prison, to be followed by five years of probation upon his release, bringing a measure of justice to a case that tragically ended a young life over a dispute involving a small amount of marijuana.
