Ethan Stenftenagel, 23, was shot and killed in the parking lot of the AMC theater on Evansville’s west side on the evening of Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The meeting began when Stenftenagel arranged to sell vape cartridges to three people. Just before 7:00 p.m., an attempted robbery escalated: he was shot twice in the torso while inside a vehicle, which then crashed into a wooded area beside the theater. He died at the scene; an autopsy was scheduled.

Investigators identified and arrested three suspects: 18-year-old Pierce Butler, 19-year-old Kardae Langley, and 19-year-old Deshawndre Brown. All three face murder and robbery charges, and authorities said more charges and possible additional arrests remained under consideration. Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson called the killing a senseless tragedy and warned that anyone who assisted the suspects would be referred to prosecutors.

Ethan was born in Jasper, Indiana on February 7, 2003, and graduated from Pike Central High School. He worked in restaurants and warehouses and is remembered as a father who loved playing with his children, enjoyed gaming, and treasured time with friends and family. If anyone has information about the shooting or the events leading up to it, please share what is known with investigators.