An individual from Indiana has been sentenced to a staggering 189 years in prison for his involvement in a triple murder that occurred when he was just 16 years old.

The homicides took place in Marion County in October 2021, and on Friday, prosecutors announced Caden Smith’s sentence in connection with the deaths of Joseph Thomas, Michael James, and Abdulla Mubarak.

Smith faced multiple charges, including three counts of murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of robbery, and various gun and drug offenses, as reported by the Indy Star, part of the YSL News Network.

Following the incidents, as the homicides occurred on different days, there were concerns within the community about the possibility of a serial killer. However, such rumors were dismissed when authorities apprehended Smith, who was 16 at the time, just a few weeks after the murders, according to reports from the Indy Star and WKRC.

Here’s what you need to know.

Michael James’ girlfriend revealed he was meeting someone named Caden

On October 21, 2021, officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) discovered the bodies in a field. More than 50 spent 9 millimeter cartridge casings and unfired bullets were recovered from the location, as per court records.

According to police, Smith had taken the three victims to a grassland area to demonstrate how a Glock switch functions.

The autopsy revealed that the victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The girlfriend of one of the victims, James, informed detectives during interviews that she last spoke with him on October 11, 2021, when he mentioned he was going to meet someone named Caden to acquire gun switches, according to court documents.

A switch is contraband that modifies a typical semi-automatic Glock handgun to operate as a fully automatic weapon, per the documents.

Investigators also connected with a juvenile who knew two of the victims, James and Mubarak, and had heard of someone named Caden. This juvenile provided Smith’s grandmother’s address and his cell phone number to the authorities.

Victim’s mother recalls him saying he was meeting someone named Caden

Detectives interviewed Joseph Thomas’s mother on October 17, 2021, and again a week later. She shared that the last time she saw her son was a week prior at home when he mentioned, “I’m going to meet with Caden and take care of something.”

She also remembered previously meeting someone named Caden along with his grandmother about three years ago and could recollect their address.

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Following these insights from Thomas’s mother, the detectives reviewed gas station surveillance footage showing him interacting with two people and exchanging contact information with one of them.

Additionally, a juvenile friend of Thomas disclosed that he knew Thomas was in contact with someone named “Caden” and was arranging to meet him. When shown Smith’s photo, this juvenile identified him as the same Caden from the gas station footage.

What did investigators discover at Smith’s residence?

On October 26, detectives focused more on Smith and requested a search warrant, which led to a search of his home the following day. They uncovered two firearms, one equipped with a switch, ammunition, and six mobile phones.

Smith was charged with several felonies, including three counts of murder. However, progress in his case was delayed when a judge noted potential unconstitutionality regarding the warrant for his arrest. Although the judge ordered Smith’s release, he was soon apprehended again on marijuana-related charges, as noted by the Indy Star.

In August, Smith was found guilty in connection with the murders.