A Christmas Day argument over a slammed door turned deadly after a man allegedly retrieved a gun and shot a 44-year-old man in the chest. Nearly two years later, he was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
On December 25, 2024, at approximately 11:11 a.m., officers responded to a home in Indianapolis, Indiana, following a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was identified as 44-year-old Cedric D. Crews.
Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from a disturbance inside the home.
According to court documents, an argument had occurred before the shooting, and a door inside the residence had been slammed multiple times.
Witnesses told investigators that Derek McKenzie III, who was 28 years old when he was arrested, entered the room and repeatedly demanded to know who had slammed the door.
One woman reportedly admitted that she was responsible, but told investigators McKenzie was not listening to what anyone was saying.
McKenzie continued questioning Crews about the door before threatening to kill him.
Authorities said McKenzie then retrieved a firearm, shot Crews in the chest, and fled the residence.
Multiple witnesses later identified McKenzie as the shooter during a police lineup.
Investigators also learned McKenzie had previously been convicted of robbery resulting in bodily injury in January 2016, making him prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On February 3, 2025, detectives located McKenzie at another Indianapolis residence and served a warrant with assistance from a SWAT team.
During a search of the home, authorities recovered multiple firearms, including one allegedly equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
McKenzie was subsequently charged in connection with Crews’ death.
Following a court trial in July 2026, McKenzie was convicted of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and a felony firearm sentencing enhancement.
On August 17, 2026, McKenzie was sentenced to 65 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
