Crime
16-Year-Old Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Teen Girl in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN – The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) has arrested a 16-year-old male suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that claimed the life of Sincere Sole, a teenage girl, on Monday evening.
The suspect faces charges of felony murder and robbery related to the incident.
FWPD officers responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2025. The shooting occurred at the Black Pine Flats apartment complex on Fayette Drive.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Sincere Sole suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel transported her to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Following an overnight investigation, the Fort Wayne Homicide Task Force identified and apprehended a 16-year-old male suspect at approximately 2:50 a.m. Tuesday.
The suspect, whose name has not been released due to his juvenile status, was taken into custody and transported to the Allen County Juvenile Center.
He is charged with:
- Felony Murder
- Robbery
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting, including a possible motive or how the suspect and victim knew each other.
The FWPD Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case, and additional charges may be considered as more information emerges.
Officials urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.