Fort Wayne man takes plea deal in deadly 2024 shooting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A 20-year-old Fort Wayne man took a deal Friday in connection with a deadly 2024 shooting.

BACKGROUND: FWPD investigates fatal shooting on Fort Wayne’s southeast side | 18-year-old Fort Wayne man second to be charged in fatal August shooting on Winter Street

Donavon Gonzalez is accused of a role in the killing of 20-year-old Damarion Tywan Lundy on Aug. 26, 2024, in the 4400 block of Winter Street. He was charged alongside Dairyon Cortez McClendon.

Both defendants were 18 years old at the time of the shooting.

They were captured on surveillance videos near the scene, according to court records. In audio captured from the recording, a voice could be heard on the recording, saying, “Hey Don,” before gunshots rang out.

A witness later identified “Don” as Gonzalez, and McClendon as “Sumo,” court documents say. They were allegedly seen running from the scene after potentially taking a camera from near the victim’s body.

Gonzalez allegedly returned to the scene to take a photo of the victim’s body, which was later discovered by investigators, court records show. McClendon was identified as the shooter by the witness.

In exchange for pleading guilty to robbery and a firearm enhancement, murder and felony murder charges against Gonzalez were dismissed. The agreement leaves his sentence up to Allen Superior Court Judge David Zent.

He may also be called on to testify against McClendon, who is set to go to trial in March.

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