INDIANAPOLIS — A man convicted in a 2020 killing on the east side of Indianapolis was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Sammy Tinnin was found guilty in January for the murder of John Shockley.
“The investigation faced significant evidentiary challenges that led to the case being dismissed and eventually refiled after investigators were able to uncover additional evidence," said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. "I want to thank the Shockley family for the dignity and grace they have demonstrated throughout this entire process.”
On the morning of Aug. 12, 2020, IMPD officers were called to a gas station in the 2500 block of North Emerson Avenue near East 30th Street and I-70 for a person shot.
When police arrived, they located a man inside a car at a gas station with injuries consistent with at least one gunshot wound. Shockley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators used witness accounts and surveillance video to identify Tinnin as the suspect.
Police say they arrested and charged a suspect for Jack’s murder, but say a key witness in the case died a few months later in an unrelated homicide.
Other witnesses said Tinnin shot and killed Shockley after an argument. Shockley's parents believe no argument took place before their son was shot. They shared a statement with 13News after the verdict was announced:
"The evidence at trial - in particular, the surveillance video - showed that Tinnin targeted Jack. He parked next to Jack and shot him in less than ten seconds. They had no prior relationship and there was no argument or altercation between the two. It was a senseless killing and Jack was a totally innocent victim as even defense counsel admitted at trial. All of this was proven in a court of law."
- Steve and Cheryl Shockley
