On October 9, 2020, 41-year-old Juan Mitchell, known as Coach Smitty, was fatally wounded in a shooting on Indianapolis’ near-north side. A dedicated youth football coach with the Next Level Football league, he was remembered as a loving husband, father to several children, and a mentor to many local kids. His death came during a weekend described as unusually violent for the city and prompted an investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Despite an active probe, the case went cold; by April 2021 his murder remained unsolved with no suspects publicly identified and no arrests announced. The family’s search for answers continued amid broader concerns about unresolved homicides in the city. If anyone knew Juan, was near the near-north side on October 9, 2020, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.