leanne selman shooting Today: Status of charges in fatal shooting

A long-running investigation into a fatal 2017 shooting in Fort Wayne, Indiana, reached a new phase in May 2025 following the arrest of the second of two suspects identified by authorities. The case concerns the death of 36-year-old Nicholas Hennan, who was discovered deceased inside a vehicle that had crashed into a tree on August 3, 2017.

Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the investigation into the incident, which spanned nearly eight years, relied on a combination of witness testimony, forensic evidence, and digital records. While two men were initially charged in connection with the homicide, court records indicate that the legal proceedings faced significant developments throughout 2025.

Here is what authorities and responding emergency personnel have confirmed so far.

Incident Focus: Timeline & Confirmed Developments

• Initial Event: On August 3, 2017, Nicholas Hennan was found dead in a vehicle that had struck a tree. Reports indicate he had previously left a work gathering under the impression he was meeting someone to purchase a firearm.
• Investigative Findings: Court records reveal that witnesses stated they believed the incident was narcotics-related and that the perpetrators searched the victim’s pockets before fleeing the scene.
• Forensic Breakthrough: In March 2025, investigators utilized updated phone records and DNA evidence to corroborate witness accounts regarding the night of the shooting.
• Arrest and Charges: Tavon Underwood, 27, and Carlos Ellis, 26, were charged with murder, felony murder, and attempted robbery. Underwood was taken into custody in May 2025.
• Legal Outcome: The charges against Tavon Underwood were officially dismissed by the court in September 2025.

Core Incident Focus: Official Response & Investigation

The investigation into the death of Nicholas Hennan involved sustained efforts by Fort Wayne law enforcement to track individuals present during the final moments of the victim’s life. According to documentation filed in court, a witness reported that Underwood had claimed to have committed his “first body” following the shooting and had expressed fear, asking the witness to remain silent.

“In March, new information from phone records and DNA evidence supported the witness’s account of the night of the shooting.” — Official court records provided via WPTA 21Alive

The arrest of the two suspects years after the incident highlighted the role of evolving forensic technology in cold case resolutions. Agencies often manage such long-term investigations by returning to digital footprints and biological evidence as analytical capabilities improve. Similar to the procedural complexities seen in previous high-profile investigations involving shooting incidents, the state’s case required a high threshold of corroborating evidence to proceed through the court system.

Community Impact & Procedural Transparency

While the physical site of the accident was cleared in 2017, the legal processing of this case remained a point of interest for the local community. The dismissal of charges in late 2025 serves as a final point for the active criminal proceedings against Underwood. Members of the public seeking information on Allen County homicide rulings from 2000 to the present can typically find historical data through the county prosecutor’s office or verified local news archives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the outcome of the charges against Tavon Underwood?

Following his arrest in May 2025, the legal case against Tavon Underwood proceeded until September 2025, at which time the charges were dismissed.

How did authorities link the suspects to the 2017 incident?

Police relied on witness statements detailing the shooting and the subsequent actions of the suspects, which were later supported by new DNA evidence and phone records analyzed in 2025.