INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man was convicted of two counts of murder and attempted armed robbery for his role in the 2022 deadly shooting of a smoke shop employee on the city's near north side.
A jury returned the guilty verdict against Jalen Frierson Feb. 1 after a three-day jury trial, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office announced.
Prior to the trial, Frierson's co-defendant, Hakeem Jackson, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and unlawful possession of a serious violent felon.
On April 23, 2022, the two entered a smoke shop in the 1900 block of North College Avenue, near East 20th Street, where Eric Preer was working. Frierson and Jackson "can be seen on security footage aggressively approaching the victim before Frierson fires multiple shots at Preer, killing him," the prosecutor's office said.
Frierson and Jackson hopped in a car and drove away after the shooting.
An IMPD robbery detective located the suspects' car at a nearby apartment complex. Shortly after, the car drove toward the interstate and a police chase began. Jackson was taken into custody when the car stopped.
The prosecutor's office said the gun used in the shooting, a 9mm handgun, was found inside the car.
A sentencing hearing for Frierson is scheduled for March 4, 2024.
