A Kokomo teen is dead, and two other juveniles face serious charges after an apparent robbery gone bad on the city’s south side early Tuesday morning.
Detectives said Nathan Marcus Paul Smith, 16, and Justin Smith, 17, Peru, were armed with a shotgun and a baseball bat, respectively, when they knocked on the door of 19 Southdowns Drive at about 12:30 a.m.
The man inside the home, Michael Slonaker, 61, came to the door armed with a handgun.
Slonaker told police the juvenile holding the shotgun raised it when he opened the door. Slonaker then fired two shots, hitting both juveniles.
Nathan Smith, a sophomore at Kokomo High School, was shot in the chest and stumbled out to the street before collapsing, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Howard County Coroner Brad Bray.
Justin Smith initially fled from the scene, but was later found at Howard Regional Health System with a gunshot wound to the knee, the detective said.
According to detectives, Justin Smith told hospital staff he had been shot and wounded on East Taylor Street in Kokomo while attempting to buy drugs. He later admitted his involvement in the shooting incident to investigators.
“We don’t believe that Nathan Smith and Justin Smith are related. It appears that they were just friends,” said Sheriff Marty Talbert. Slonaker told investigators that he was not familiar with either man.
“Slonaker is licensed to carry a firearm,” Talbert continued. “However a permit is not required to possess a handgun in your own home, or on your own property.”
A 17-year-old female who drove Justin Smith to the emergency room was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary. She was transported to the Kinsey Youth Center, where she is being held on the class B felony charge.
Justin Smith was transferred to Indianapolis Methodist Hospital by Life Line Helicopter. He was scheduled to undergo surgery for his gunshot wound Tuesday. Nathan Smith’s body is scheduled to undergo an autopsy on Wednesday at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
Ironically, Nathan Smith was on probation with the Howard County Juvenile Probation department, but had not reported as required, according to department head Don Travis.
Nathan Smith’s probation officer, along with Smith’s mother, were out looking for him Tuesday morning, unaware he’d been killed, Travis said.
Travis, who was contacted outside the office Tuesday, said he wasn’t immediately aware of the reason for Smith’s probationary status.
The case is still under investigation, but Talbert said from initial reports, it didn’t appear likely Slonaker would face charges.
“The weapons [used by the assailants] were found lying on the ground outside the house, just like Mr. Slonaker indicated,” Talbert said. “That indicates he was put in fear for his life. Certainly if an individual showed up at my door with a shotgun, I’d protect myself.”
“We are asking anyone with information about this case to contact myself, or Detective Scott Waymire, at our investigations section, (765) 456-2031, Ext. 247,” said Detective Greg Hargrove.
Howard County Sheriff deputies were assisted at the scene by the Russiaville Police Department, Harrison Township Fire Department and EMS, and the Howard County Emergency Management Agency. The Kokomo Police Department is also assisting with the investigation.
Scott Smith may be reached at
(765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
One teen killed in failed robbery attempt
Police say resident opened door, saw 16-year-old with shotgun
- Local News
-
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Noblesville police are trying to determine if the remains of a woman found Thursday along the Mississinewa River near Marion are those of missing Noblesville woman Dorothy Heard.
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
