In the early morning hours of October 21, 2023, Abel Isaias Ramos Utuy, 29, was shot multiple times outside a liquor store on Georgetown Road in Indianapolis and later died at a local hospital. The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. after what witnesses described as a brief, trivial dispute between Ramos Utuy and another man who had been in a nearby vehicle.

Officials identified Ja’Que Mason as the shooter. Witnesses and Mason himself said Ramos Utuy parked next to Mason’s car, entered the store and, on exiting, a verbal exchange occurred. Mason said he thought Ramos Utuy appeared intoxicated and that he fired because he saw Ramos Utuy reach for something, but Mason later told investigators he never actually saw a weapon. No firearm was recovered from Ramos Utuy or his vehicle. Surveillance video shows a short conversation before Ramos Utuy moved toward his car; Mason then drew a handgun and fired as Ramos Utuy turned away.

A 911 caller and a man believed to be Mason’s father provided information that aided the investigation, and Mason later went to the IMPD Homicide office accompanied by his mother and other witnesses. A jury found Ja’Que Mason guilty of murder in Ramos Utuy’s death, and a judge sentenced him to 45 years in the Indiana Department of Correction with five years suspended. Anyone with information about Abel Ramos Utuy or the events that night is asked to share what they know.