MARION — An 18-year-old is charged with murder and other charges in connection with the death of a 17-year-old shot in Marion.
Julio 'Lio' Matamoros was shot and killed on Monday, the family confirmed on Wednesday.
Corrine Rose, Lio's mother, told WRTV in a text message her son, "lived for family, friends, and baseball!"
Rose said Lio played short stop for Mississinewa High School and Prime Travel Ball, and was planning to attend Indiana Wesleyan University next year.
"He was kind to everyone and avoided drama at all costs! Lio enjoyed fishing, playing basketball with friends and music! He was your normal teenage boy with some added style!" Rose said. "It would be hard to find anyone who didn’t like Lio that goes from babies to adults. He was very special!"
Officials said Grant County Central Dispatch received a call on Monday at 6:50 p.m. about a person shot at 1555 South Western Avenue in Marion.
Officers arrived at the scene and found a male on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest, and began performing live saving techniques before EMS arrived.
According to the news release, the victim, later identified as a 17-year-old male, told officers, "A white male named Cordel," shot him.
The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Marion Police have confirmed the victim later died.
Officials say they believe the incident started over marijuana vape cartridges that the suspect was attempting to purchase from the victim. Court documents state the suspect Cordel Bice took vape cartridges, a cell phone & money from the victim.
Officers learned a white Pontiac fled the scene after the shooting. They found the car at an apartment complex at the 500 block of East 3rd Street, confirming its connection to the suspect and the shooting.
Investigators say they located the gun used in the shooting in a trash can near the intersection of 11th and Boots Street on information the suspect had disposed of the weapon in that area.
Officers say they later located 18-year-old Cordel Bice in a trailer at 1515 S Miller Avenue, who surrendered without incident.
Cordel Bice was charged with murder, robbery resulting in serious injury and theft in connection to the shooting. He has an initial hearing scheduled for Friday at 8:15 a.m.
