In the winter of 2016, a young man's life was tragically cut short in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Codi Alan McCann, a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on December 6, 2016. A graduate of Northrop High School's class of 2012, McCann had pursued further education in the Culinary Arts Program at Ivy Tech College. At the time of his death, he was employed by UPS and was known for his love of basketball.
Described as a good-hearted and funny individual, he was remembered for his willingness to help others and protect his friends.
The incident that led to McCann's death unfolded behind a bar on East State Boulevard. Reports indicate the shooting followed an altercation in the establishment's parking lot. The tragic event was later described as a result of a drug deal that had gone wrong.
In September 2018, an arrest was made in connection with the nearly two-year-old case. Quentin Stewart, then 28 years old, was taken into custody and charged with the murder of Codi McCann. Stewart's legal proceedings faced delays, and his initial murder trial concluded with a hung jury, resulting in a mistrial. Despite this, prosecutors moved forward with a new trial.
Ultimately, justice for Codi McCann came in January 2020 when Quentin Stewart was convicted of his murder. Stewart was sentenced to 70 years in prison for his role in McCann's death. During the sentencing, it was noted that while the circumstances leading to the confrontation were not entirely positive for McCann, the choice to take a life rested solely with Stewart. In court, Stewart offered an apology to McCann's family but maintained that he had acted in self-defense. Following her son's death, McCann's mother became an advocate for victims of violence, co-founding a local group to support families seeking justice.
