Security video reveals Mucky Duck shooting details

Marion County jurors convicted Kaeden Douglas on July 30 in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Jereme Dillingham outside the Mucky Duck Pub on Indianapolis’ south side, capping a case that turned heavily on bar security footage and competing claims about self-defense. Prosecutors said the video showed Douglas escalating confrontations inside and outside the bar before shooting Dillingham as Douglas’ car was slowly pulling away. (wthr.com) Defense lawyers told jurors Douglas feared for his life and argued the state had not disproved self-defense. The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. on July 17, 2025, in the parking lot of the bar in the 4400 block of Southport Crossing Drive. (wishtv.com) ### What did the security video show before the shot? Court documents reviewed by WISH-TV said cameras showed Douglas enter the bar around 10 p.m. with a woman, then around 1:30 a.m. get up from his seat, throw a chair to the ground and shove an unidentified man. (wthr.com) Police said Dillingham, who was seated at the same bar, stepped in to break up that fight. The footage then showed Dillingham and Douglas briefly reconcile. WISH-TV reported that, after a short exchange, the two men shook hands and hugged before Dillingham walked away and Douglas fought with bar staff, including a bouncer who removed him from the business. ### How did the confrontation move from the bar to the parking lot? Outside the bar, witnesses and court records said Douglas was guided to his Dodge Charger after he was kicked out. (wthr.com) Fox59 reported that employees said Douglas had been asked to leave, did leave, and then was confronted by Dillingham in the parking lot. A few minutes later, the video showed Dillingham crossing the parking lot and speaking to Douglas through the passenger-side window of the Charger, according to court documents cited by WISH-TV. (wishtv.com) Prosecutors said Dillingham had initially tried to play peacemaker after the disturbance inside the bar. ### What happened at the car window? WISH-TV reported that Douglas began to slowly drive away while Dillingham was still at the passenger window. (wishtv.com) A witness told officers the two men were arguing and that Douglas was screaming and calling Dillingham the N-word, according to the station’s account of court documents. The same footage showed Dillingham reach into the car window, then quickly pull back and turn toward another person standing behind him, WISH-TV and Fox59 reported. (fox59.com) Witnesses then heard a gunshot, Douglas sped through the parking lot, and Dillingham collapsed. The Marion County Coroner’s Office later determined Dillingham died from a gunshot wound to the torso. ### Why did prosecutors say the video mattered? (wishtv.com) During trial, Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Brandon Carothers told jurors the testimony would match “what is on that video,” according to WTHR. Prosecutors argued Douglas repeatedly escalated tensions, stayed in the parking lot after being thrown out and used racial slurs to provoke a reaction. (wishtv.com) WTHR reported prosecutors also told jurors Dillingham was shot as Douglas’ car was slowly pulling away and that Douglas “had every chance to drive off without using deadly force.” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said after the verdict that the jury recognized “a brazen act fueled by hate, aggression and alcohol.” (wishtv.com) ### What did Douglas’ lawyers argue instead? Defense attorney J’Donavan Bembry told jurors, “Not every tragedy is a crime,” and said the case was about whether prosecutors could disprove self-defense, according to WTHR. Defense lawyers did not dispute that Douglas shot Dillingham. (wthr.com) After his arrest, Fox59 reported, Douglas told police he was too intoxicated to remember the shooting before later claiming he acted in self-defense and eventually denying involvement. Prosecutors attacked that account at trial and argued Douglas was not credible. ### What happens next in court? A July 31 update from Fox59 said a sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. in Marion County. (wthr.com) WTHR reported Douglas faces 45 to 60 years in prison after the murder conviction. (fox59.com) (fox59.com) (wthr.com)