Bloomington, IN – A Bloomington man was arrested today in connection with a fatal shooting that left a 29-year-old transient man dead near downtown and the Indiana University community, impacting Monroe County and the greater Indianapolis region. The killing occurred at W Howe Street and S Morton Street on September 26, 2025, Friday, around 9:40 p.m.
According to police, Shawn Sullivan, 29, was found with an apparent gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at IU Health Bloomington Hospital at 10:28 p.m. Witnesses told officers a dark-colored car sped up behind Sullivan and two women; after Sullivan threw a bicycle that struck the car, a man allegedly got out and fired once, then fled north on Madison Street.
Investigators reviewed neighborhood and business video. A detective spotted a dark Volkswagen Passat at a gas station at Kirkwood Avenue and Rogers Street minutes before the shooting; the man in the footage matched the later witness description. Police also linked the same vehicle to an unrelated September 22, 2025, Monday, incident on N Willis Drive, where a shot was allegedly fired from a car. Tips from the public identified the suspect as Stephen P. Dixon II, 26, of Bloomington.
On October 6, 2025, Monday, officers surveilled the vehicle, then coordinated with Indiana State Police and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office to stop it at a gas station on Lincoln Avenue in Bedford. Dixon and registered owner Kaila E. Simms, 30, were taken into custody without incident; police say Dixon had a loaded 9mm Hi-Point handgun. A booking photo of Dixon is included in the release (page 3).
According to police, Dixon faces murder, two counts of unlawful carrying of a handgun, and criminal recklessness. Simms faces one count of neglect of a dependent. All are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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