A smoke shop employee was shot in the back. Now his killers head to prison
Two men were sentenced Monday for their roles in the 2022 robbery of a smoke shop that resulted in an employee's death, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.
Jalen Frierson has been sentenced to 76 years in prison, followed by five years in Marion County Community Corrections for his role in the fatal shooting of Eric Preer, a 31-year-old employee at the shop. Hakeem Jackson was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty.
Police in court records said the pair were taken into custody after video footage in the area that night captured a man walk into the College Avenue Smoke Shop, pull out a handgun and begin shooting Preer while his back was turned.
After the shooting, they fled in a vehicle. Covert robbery detectives found the vehicle at an apartment complex nearby, prosecutors said. A brief pursuit between law enforcement ensued and Jackson was taken into custody. Police recovered a 9mm handgun that officials say was used in the shooting.
“Eric Preer was a son, a father, an uncle, and a friend, who was simply working to provide for himself and his family when he was senselessly killed," Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a prepared statement. "I commend the deputy prosecutors, investigators, and witnesses for their contributions that led to justice for Preer and his family, who have endured such tragedy.”
Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Eric Preer fatally shot in the back. Killers sentenced
