INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police is sharing an update on the investigation exactly one year after a beloved youth football coach was killed in an apparent road rage shooting.
Thursday morning, an Indiana State Police detective said he is not giving up on finding the suspect or suspects who shot and killed Richard Donnell Hamilton on Jan. 11, 2023, on Interstate 65 near Greenwood.
“Just because we haven’t knocked on your door or just because you haven’t been interviewed does not take you off the hook,” said Det. Aaron Allen, with state police. “We are coming, and I won’t stop until I find you. This is not cold.”
Police said the 43-year-old father, known as "Coach Nell," was the passenger in a van when another car pulled up beside it, and its occupants shot at the van as it exited I-65 north to County Line Road around 6:30 p.m.
Hamilton was a football coach and president of the Indy Steelers youth football program. He was also a longtime mentor in the Butler-Tarkington area. Hamilton is survived by his wife, three children and grandchildren.
Remembering Richard Donnell Hamilton
On Jan. 11, 2024, police said they are looking for a newer model of a silver Mazda-style sedan with heavily-tinted windows.
Police also said one year later, they believe the suspect car exited I-65 north to County Line Road and went north toward Southport Road.
Hamilton’s wife, Tiffany, was inside the van the night of the shooting. She is begging for the person responsible to come forward.
“My world has stopped, and everyone else’s is going on. No one deserves this. No one deserves to watch someone they love die in front of them,” Tiffany said. “Our family is hurt. Our family is broken, and I don’t know how we are going to heal from this because we hurt every day...and I watch him die every day.”
Last year, ISP responded to more than 50 interstate shootings in Indianapolis and more than 200 other cases where someone pointed or pulled out a gun.
Hamilton’s family said those numbers are tough to hear.
“It could’ve been me. It could’ve been both of us. It’s hurtful. I don’t know what could even bring you to that level of anger,” Tiffany said.
The family is focused on getting justice and also keeping Coach Nell’s legacy alive on and off the field.
“His name will live forever. He will live forever,” Tiffany said.
"When you mentor kids and you coach, you don’t know the impact you have until you are gone," Damon Lee, Hamilton’s cousin, said during a balloon release a few days after Hamilton's death.
In March 2023, Indy Parks renamed a multi-purpose field at Tarkington Park the "Richard 'Coach Nell' Hamilton Field."
Anyone will information about this shooting is asked to contact Indiana State Police at 317-899-8577 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.