Simmie Poetsema, 26, was killed after an August 27, 2022, late-night confrontation in Indianapolis. Poetsema, a member of the Dutch Commando Corps, was in the city for training and was out with fellow soldiers when an encounter with a group of local men turned into a physical altercation. After the scuffle the soldiers were walking back to their hotel; the other group left in a pickup truck that then circled back and fired on the soldiers. Poetsema was struck in the head and later died at a local hospital; two colleagues were also wounded.

Police traced the pickup using license plate readers and arrested Shamar Duncan, who was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, and disorderly conduct. A witness reported Duncan saying he had just spazzed before opening fire. At trial the defense conceded Duncan fired but argued the shooting was a blind rage without intent to kill; the jury convicted him on all counts and a judge imposed consecutive prison terms totaling 105 years, including 60 years for Poetsema’s murder.

Did anyone who knew Poetsema or his unit in Indianapolis notice anything about that night that could shed more light on what led to the shooting?