In the early morning hours of May 19, 2017, the life of 36-year-old Terrance Miles was tragically cut short in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Miles, a beloved assistant football coach at North Side High School and an administrative assistant at Forest Park Elementary School, was found shot to death in a grassy area in the 900 block of Francis Street, not far from his home. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
His death was ruled the 11th homicide in Allen County that year.
The investigation into the death of the man, who was a graduate of North Side High School and had played football for Indiana State University and the Fort Wayne Freedom indoor football team, led authorities to two suspects, Henry Underwood and Jaevin Bowie. Surveillance footage from the area showed the two men near the scene of the crime. The investigation suggested that Miles had confronted Underwood and Bowie as they were breaking into a car. According to court documents, Miles reportedly told the men he didn't have any money before he was shot.
Both Underwood and Bowie were arrested in connection with the murder. Bowie, who was initially charged with assisting a criminal, had those charges dropped and was later charged with murder. He eventually accepted a plea deal on lesser charges and agreed to testify against Underwood. Underwood faced charges of murder and attempted robbery.
In a turn of events, Henry Underwood was acquitted of all charges in the death of Terrance Miles. The credibility of the key witness, Jaevin Bowie, was reportedly a significant factor in the acquittal, as he had previously lied to investigators and had tampered with the murder weapon. Following the verdict, the community was left to mourn a man who had dedicated his life to mentoring and coaching young people. In his memory, his family established the Terrance Miles Youth Initiative to continue his work of supporting and developing youth in sports, business, and life.
