In the October killings of three young men whose bodies were discovered in a field in Indianapolis, a 16-year-old boy was charged with three counts of murder.
Caden Smith of Indianapolis was charged as an adult with the fatalities, as well as felony charges of robbery resulting in serious injury and illegal possession of a machine pistol, according to Marion County prosecutors.
While working security at a construction site near Interstate 465 on the city’s south side on Oct. 12, an off-duty police officer discovered the three bodies. The victims, Joseph Thomas, 18, Michael James, 22, and Abdulla Mubarak, 17, died of gunshot wounds, according to the Marion County coroner’s office.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Smith was identified as a suspect after communicating with the three victims before their murders. During the attacks, Smith is accused of stealing weapons or cell phones from the victims, according to the indictment.
According to court records, police officers discovered the gun that authorities suspect was used in the killings during a search of his grandmother’s home, where he lived.
On Friday, Smith’s defense attorney was not listed in court documents. An initial court appearance was not fixed right away.
