Nicholas James Elsner, 26, was found dead from a gunshot wound on the evening of May 6, 2020, inside a car behind Davis Auto and Truck Repair on Wayne Trace in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A tow truck driver discovered the vehicle with its door ajar; the repair shop owners said the car had not been there when they closed. The Allen County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, the county’s 12th of that year.

Nicholas had moved to Indiana in 2018 for work and was originally from Bluffton. Friends and family described him as selfless, generous and devoted to helping others. The Allen County Police Department and the coroner’s office opened an investigation but were unable to locate any security camera footage from the immediate area. No information about suspects or arrests has been released.

If anyone knew Nicholas, saw the car behind Davis Auto and Truck Repair that evening, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.