Indiana

Indianapolis man gets more than a century in prison for killing of Dutch soldier

Published

10 months ago

February 25, 2025

Indianapolis man gets more than a century in prison for killing of Dutch soldier

A man found guilty in the 2022 fatal shooting of a Dutch soldier in downtown Indianapolis has been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison.

Shamar Duncan was issued his 105-year prison term Monday in Marion Superior Court, bringing a conclusion to a case that Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears called “100% preventable.”

“It’s once again a situation where it’s alcohol and guns and it leads to poor choices and you have a simple confrontation, which results in so many lives being forever altered,” Mears said outside the courtroom after the hearing.

Duncan was found guilty last month of murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery following a five-day trial in connection with the Aug. 27, 2022 shooting death of 26-year-old Simmie Poetsema. Two of the Dutch man’s comrades were injured in the gunfire that erupted during a night out in the downtown bar district.

In a statement to the court, Duncan apologized and said he acted rashly in a moment of fear.

Witnesses told police the Dutch soldiers were walking back to their hotel from a club along Meridian Street when they were antagonized by Duncan and two people, according to court documents.

Duncan bumped into them as they walked past, the Dutch soldier’s friends told police. Poetsema and others in the group tried to diffuse the tension but it turned into a fight. Eventually one of Duncan’s peers said he was “going to go get a strap,” an arrest affidavit said.

The groups separated with Duncan’s group piling into a pickup and the soldiers returning to a downtown hotel. According to an arrest affidavit, the pickup started to drive off and then made a U-turn, accelerating to the front of the hotel. Witnesses said they then heard gunshots.

Indianapolis police responding to the shooting at about 3:30 a.m. found the two injured soldiers and Poetsema shot in the head outside a hotel in the 100 block of South Meridian Street.

Using videos from bystanders and surveillance footage, detectives found the pickup and identified Duncan as the shooter, according to the affidavit.

The soldiers were visiting Indianapolis on a day off from training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in southeast Indiana.

Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

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Indiana

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024

Published

2 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024

INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – Indiana tourism surged past pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to a new report released by Gov. Mike Braun.

The report shows 83 million visitors traveled to Indiana in 2024, a 1.9% increase from 2023. Visitor spending increased 4.7% from the previous year, totaling $16.9 billion and fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Visitors spent an average of $203 each during their stays. For every dollar spent by visitors, 65 cents stayed in Indiana, according to the report.

“Our state’s record tourism year is great news for Hoosiers and proof of just how much there is to love about visiting Indiana,” Braun said. “Tourism means jobs, stronger Main Streets, and economic growth. These results show that our investments are yielding returns for our economy and showing what makes Indiana a great place to live, work, play and stay.”

To view the full Rockport Analytics report, click here.

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Indiana

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid

Published

12 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid

Milwaukee Bucks (11-18, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-23, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bucks -1; over/under is 220.5

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana will try to stop its five-game slide when the Pacers take on Milwaukee.

The Pacers are 2-5 against opponents in the Central Division. Indiana has a 3-14 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Bucks are 3-4 against Central Division opponents. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the NBA averaging 15.0 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 39.9% from downtown. AJ Green leads the team averaging 3.1 makes while shooting 46.8% from 3-point range.

The Pacers average 109.7 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 116.9 the Bucks allow. The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Pacers give up.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Bucks won the last matchup 117-115 on Nov. 4, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 33 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Ethan Thompson is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Ryan Rollins is averaging 17 points, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 3-7, averaging 108.9 points, 41.1 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 7.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.9 points per game.

Bucks: 3-7, averaging 108.0 points, 39.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Obi Toppin: out (foot), Ben Sheppard: day to day (calf), Isaiah Jackson: day to day (head), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), T.J. McConnell: day to day (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Indiana

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today

Indiana basketball (9-3) finishes nonconference play with a visit from Siena (9-3) out of the MAAC tonight. The Hoosiers are 6-0 against mid-majors, while this is the Saints’ first game against a power conference opponent.

We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.

What time does Indiana basketball play Siena tonight, Dec. 22? Start time for Indiana basketball vs Siena tonight, Dec. 22

The Indiana-Siena game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET tonight, Dec. 22, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

Where to watch Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22? What channel is the Indiana-Siena college basketball game tonight, Dec. 22?

TV: BTN

Watch college basketball with a free Fubo trial

How much are IU basketball tickets tonight? Indiana basketball tickets vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

IU basketball tickets on StubHub

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 84-62

“Indiana’s second-half power outage Saturday felt like an aberration, at least in games like this. Siena, though, might not necessarily be a walk-over opponent. The Hoosiers should win comfortably, but any pre-holiday malaise might make their last nonconference game uncomfortable. “

Where to listen to Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

As of Dec. 21

0, Jasai Miles
1, Reed Bailey
2, Jason Drake
3, Lamar Wilkerson
4, Sam Alexis
5, Conor Enright
6, Tayton Conerway
7, Nick Dorn
10, Josh Harris
11, Trent Sisley
12, Tucker DeVries
13, Aleksa Ristic
15, Andrej Acimovic

(all times ET; with date, day of week, location and opponent, time, TV)

Sun., Jan. 4: vs. Washington, 8 p.m., BTN
Wed., Jan. 7: at Maryland, 6:30 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 10: vs. Nebraska, noon, BTN

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

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