Takoda Simon Gallegos, 17 and of Pokagon Potawatomi descent, was shot and killed inside a home in the 200 block of Indiana Avenue in Mishawaka on the evening of January 15, 2025. Officers responded to a call about 8:45 p.m. and found him on the floor with a gunshot wound to the chest; life‑saving efforts by officers were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Mishawaka Police Major Crimes Unit identified two suspects. A 14‑year‑old was taken into custody the same night and held at the Juvenile Justice Center. A second suspect, 17‑year‑old Latrell Vaughn, was arrested two days later and charged as an adult with murder, armed robbery, pointing a firearm and a felony firearm enhancement; the juvenile faced similar charges in juvenile court. At trial in August, jurors convicted Vaughn of armed robbery and pointing a firearm but deadlocked on the murder count; the court withheld entry of judgment on the guilty verdicts to avoid double jeopardy concerns and potential retrial on the murder charge.

Anyone who knew Takoda or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.