MARION, Ind. — A 13-year-old has been charged as an adult in a deadly shooting at a gas station in Marion, police said.
Grant County prosecutors formally charged Zaiden Guy on the following charges:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury
- One count of unlawful carrying of a handgun
- One count of theft
- One count of criminal recklessness
Shortly before 8 p.m. March 11, Marion Police Department officers and Grant County Sheriff's Department deputies were called to the Circle K in the 900 block of East Bradford Street, near Pennsylvania Street, for a report of a person shot.
Officers found 24-year-old Byron Otis Dennis Jr., of Anderson, lying on the ground at the entrance to the store with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to Marion Health hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Police told 13News they don't believe Byron and Guy knew each other.
Officers identified Guy as the suspect after reviewing in-store video surveillance of the incident. Guy was located at a home in 500 block of East Highland Avenue, near East Charles and North Meridian streets, and taken into custody after officers called over a loudspeaker for the occupants to come out of the house.
Bryon's family told 13News he went to the store to grab a couple of things Monday, not knowing it would be the place he'd take his final breath.
Whether he was dancing on TikTok or busting it down at a wedding, Byron's family said he always knew how to have a good time.
"He was super family-oriented, his siblings, his mom, my dad passed away," said Jazmine Dennis, Byron's sister. "He was the only guy in the family. He was a man of the house, so he made sure he did whatever he could to protect us, his mom, his siblings, like he he made sure we was always good."
"He's just gone too soon," Jazmine added. "He had so much life ahead of him."
Byron was at the register making a purchase.
"The 13-year-old came from behind him. Byron's putting the money in his pocket. The 13-year-old decided he wanted to reach for the money that Byron put in his pocket," Jazmine said. "At that point, Byron, you know, defended himself. A tussle ensued. The 13-year-old managed to take the gun out of Byron's pocket and he shot him point-blank range in the chest. The bullet went through his chest straight around his back."
Byron's family gathered Tuesday for a balloon release to remember him.
"He'll be missed, for sure," Jazmine said. "And if you know Byron, you know his energy, it travels where whatever room he's in his energy, it's gonna travel, you're gonna feel it, you're gonna feel it. So just his presence alone, it made an impact on everybody's life."
Guy was transported to another county to be detained, Marion police said.
Police said that because Guy took something from Byron, that is why he was arrested for both murder and robbery. The gas station was not robbed, and Guy did not work there, according to police.
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact Captain Josh Zigler at 765-668-4417 or 765-662-9981. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 765-662-8477 or by messaging the Marion Police Department Facebook page.