Jury convicts Indianapolis man in April 2024 Lawrence triple shooting; third murder count remains unresolved
Two guilty verdicts returned; one count left for another trial
An Indianapolis man has been convicted on two murder counts stemming from a triple shooting that left three people dead at a Lawrence apartment complex in April 2024. A jury found Malik Shaw guilty in the killings of Aaliyah Wortman, 19, and Londyn Coleman, 19. Jurors did not reach a verdict on the third murder charge involving Spencer Lawson Jr., 27, leaving that count pending for a future trial.
The case centers on a shooting reported on April 12, 2024, at an apartment complex on Duxbury Lane in Lawrence, a community within Marion County on the northeast side of Indianapolis. Police responding to reports of gunfire found three people suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot; all three died at the scene.
How the investigation developed after the April 12 shootings
In the days after the killings, prosecutors filed three murder charges against Shaw. Early court filings and investigative summaries described physical and testimonial evidence connecting Shaw to the scene, including a cellphone recovered near the location of the shooting.
Investigators also relied on accounts from witnesses who were in the area at the time of the gunfire. In addition, law enforcement reviewed security video and assembled a timeline of post-shooting movements tied to the suspect, based on available footage and witness statements.
Evidence emphasized at trial
During the proceedings that led to the verdicts, the state presented a mix of digital, physical and eyewitness evidence. Trial summaries cited the use of surveillance video and witness testimony to reconstruct events surrounding the shooting and its immediate aftermath.
Investigators also reported recovering items later described as significant to the state’s case, including a phone found in a vehicle that contained a photo of Shaw wearing a Nike sweatshirt described as matching clothing recovered near the crime scene.
What the split verdict means procedurally
The two convictions resolve Shaw’s criminal liability for the deaths of Wortman and Coleman in this case, while the unresolved count keeps the prosecution active in Marion County courts. A mistried count typically requires prosecutors to decide whether to retry the charge, pursue a resolution short of trial, or dismiss it—steps that will be addressed through future court settings.
Incident date: April 12, 2024
Location: Duxbury Lane apartment complex, Lawrence
Victims: Aaliyah Wortman (19), Londyn Coleman (19), Spencer Lawson Jr. (27)
Outcome: Guilty verdicts on two murder counts; third murder count pending
Any future trial on the remaining count will focus on whether the state can secure a unanimous verdict on the charge tied to Spencer Lawson Jr.’s death.
Sentencing on the two convictions and scheduling for any additional proceedings are expected to be determined through subsequent court hearings.