Man sentenced to 100-year prison term for murder of Dutch soldier

Shamar Duncan was sentenced to more than 100 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a Dutch soldier in downtown Indianapolis. The prosecutor called the incident “100% preventable” and attributed it to alcohol and guns leading to poor choices. Duncan was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery in connection to the shooting that killed 26-year-old Simmie Poetsema and injured two of his comrades. Witnesses reported that Duncan and two others antagonized the Dutch soldiers, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a fight. Duncan’s group then left in a pickup truck but returned and fired gunshots at the soldiers outside their hotel. Indianapolis police identified Duncan as the shooter using videos and surveillance footage. The soldiers were in the city on a day off from training at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in southeast Indiana. Duncan apologized in court, admitting he acted rashly out of fear. The prosecutor emphasized the impact of the incident, stating that so many lives were forever altered by the simple confrontation. The verdict brings closure to a case that highlighted the dangers of alcohol, firearms, and poor decision-making.