On the evening of May 31, 2016, a conversation in downtown South Bend turned deadly when 27-year-old Markest Tyrone Flowers was shot once in the face near Main and Colfax streets and later pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses described Flowers walking back and forth holding a cup and wearing a backpack while speaking with 69-year-old Michael Young, who followed him closely. According to multiple accounts, Young grabbed Flowers’ backpack, spun him around and raised a handgun before firing the single shot.

Young was taken into custody at the scene; police found two handguns on him. He later admitted to firing the weapon, saying he was surprised when it discharged and claiming Flowers had threatened him, though he also acknowledged Flowers was unarmed and made no physical move to attack. Young told the court he suffered from PTSD and denied a racial motive. The judge rejected that defense and sentenced Young to 50 years in prison.

Did anyone in South Bend know Flowers or witness the events near Main and Colfax that evening?