‘Devastating tragedy’: Indy man gets 89 years for shooting, killing woman on near east side

INDIANAPOLIS — A man has been sentenced to over 80 years in prison for shooting and killing a woman as she was running away and pleading for help two years ago on the near east side of Indianapolis.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Deonta Nelson has been sentenced to 89 years after he was found guilty of murder and received a habitual offender sentencing enhancement following a three day jury trial that concluded in September.

Nelson was arrested on Sept. 1 after investigators identified him as the primary suspect in the shooting death of Emily Willis. According to previous reports, Willis was walking in the 200 block of North Rural Street near E. New York Street when she was struck by gunfire.

Officers then spoke with two juveniles who were playing basketball when they recalled observing a gray vehicle approach Willis. The witnesses reported hearing Willis say, “Leave me alone” multiple times before she began running and was shot.

Another witness told investigators that Willis had been calling his wife requesting assistance after claiming two men were attempting force her into their vehicle. Detectives then sifted through surveillance footage from several locaitons in the area, inlcluding the public library.

MCPO said the footage showed a passenger inside the vehicle wearing a bright red hoodie. Several days later, detectives paid a visit to an apartment complex on E. Washington Street where they found the address that matched the man they believed was driving the suspect vehicle.

The secueity footage at the apartment revealed that the driver and passenger exited the vehicle as detectives learned that their descriptions matched the public library footage.

The suspect vehicle then exited the apartment. Officers followed and conducted a traffic stop that ended with the driver being brought to IMPD’s homicide office. During an interview, MCPO said the man admitted that he was the driver and that Willis was the shooter. He added that Nelson used a 9mm handgun with a drum, which detectives determined matched the evidence they collected on the scene.

“The defendant murdered a woman in cold blood and two innocent children were forced to witness this devastating tragedy,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “Two sentencing enhancements were applied to ensure a resolution that reflects the depravity his actions and a measure of justice for Ms. Willis and her family.”