22-year-old found guilty of murder after fatal shooting at south side Mucky Duck bar

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man has been found guilty of murder after fatally shooting another outside a south side bar minutes after he’d been kicked out for fighting.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Friday that 22-year-old Kaeden Douglas is the one responsible for fatally shooting 28-year-old Jereme Dillingham outside of the Mucky Duck bar on the city’s south side in July 2025.

He could face up to 60 years in prison.

“We are pleased the jury recognized this crime for what it was— a brazen act fueled by hate, aggression and alcohol that ended in a senseless tragedy. This verdict sends a clear message that hate has no place in our community,” Mears said in a release. “A just verdict is one step closer to closing this unimaginably difficult chapter for the Dillingham family. Our thoughts and support remain with them.”

Previous coverage: https://www.wishtv.com/news/crime-watch-8/murder-charges-mucky-duck-pub/

What detectives learned

The shooting happened around 1:35 a.m. on July 17 of last year. During the investigation, court documents say police also reviewed security camera footage from the bar.

Around 10 p.m., police spotted Douglas on camera entering the bar with a female. Then at 1:30 a.m., Douglas suddenly “got up from his seat, threw a chair to the ground, and began shoving an unidentified male.”

Jereme Dillingham was seated at the same bar. Police say when the fight broke out, Dillingham jumped between the two men to try and break up the fight. Then, “after a brief exchange,” Douglas and Dillingham “shook hands and hugged.”

Dillingham was seen walking away as Douglas gets in a fight with bar staff, including a bouncer who removed him from the business. A physical fight between the pair happened outside as the bouncer guided Douglas to his Dodge Charger.

A few minutes later, Dillingham was seen crossing the parking lot and speaking with Douglas through the passenger’s side of the Charger. Douglas started to slowly drive away while Dillingham was still at the window.

A witness later told officers they heard the two men arguing, Douglas screaming and calling Dillingham the N-word.

Dillingham was then seen in the video reaching into the car window before quickly pulling back and turning toward a person standing behind him. Witnesses then reported hearing a gunshot.

Douglas speeds off through the parking lot, and Dillingham collapses. Bystanders provided medical aid until first responders arrived.

Multiple witnesses confirmed to police Douglas’ appearance and what car he drove. They described his behavior to police as “aggressive” and “obviously drunk,” frequently yelling and calling people slurs.

Douglas also threatened patrons, said the “N-word” with a “hard R” numerous times, and scared a female into running into the bar when she believed he was going to hurt her. Police did not say if they interviewed the female who came to the bar with Douglas.

Douglas speaks with detectives

Investigators later tracked Douglas to his home on the southeast side and took him into custody without incident.

Douglas’ narrative of events frequently changed when speaking with detectives. Police say Douglas first claimed not remembering what happened at Mucky Duck, adding that he hadn’t been in a fight since the seventh grade.

This later changed to Douglas describing the events leading up to the fight, saying he remembered being hit but “he did not remember where he got hit, who hit him, or how many times he was hit.” He told police he didn’t remember anything until he got home.

According to online court records, Douglas has a sentencing hearing on August 21. He’ll also have a bench trial on the same day for a firearm enhancement on his sentencing.

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