In the early morning hours of April 1, 2014, Nathan Trapuzzano, a 24-year-old man, was on his customary walk in his Indianapolis neighborhood. A newlywed with his first child on the way, Trapuzzano was a computer programmer and a devout Catholic. His peaceful routine was shattered when he was confronted by two individuals in what was later determined to be an attempted robbery. Surveillance footage captured moments before the incident showed a suspect quickly approaching Trapuzzano.
He was shot once in the abdomen and found collapsed in the parking lot of a tire shop. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Nathan Trapuzzano succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The seemingly random and senseless nature of the crime caused an outpouring of grief and support from the community. Investigators from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department quickly released surveillance video to the public in an effort to identify the individuals involved. The investigation led them to 16-year-old Simeon Adams. Adams was already in a juvenile detention center after being shot in a separate incident on the same day as Trapuzzano's murder. Police also identified another 16-year-old who they believed acted as a lookout, though charges were not filed against him as he was expected to be a witness in the case.
Simeon Adams was charged as an adult with murder, felony murder, attempted robbery, and carrying a handgun without a license. His behavior during court proceedings drew public outcry, as he was seen laughing and smiling on his way into the courtroom. Adams was also a suspect in another shooting that had occurred just days prior to Trapuzzano's death. Ultimately, Simeon Adams accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to the murder of Nathan Trapuzzano. He was sentenced to a term of 55 years in prison for the crime. The tragic death of Nathan Trapuzzano, just weeks before the birth of his daughter, Cecilia, left a lasting impact on the Indianapolis community.
