A Community Mourns: 17-Year-Old Julio Matamoros Shot and Killed in Marion
Teen’s Life Cut Short After Meeting for a Vaping Transaction Turns Fatal
Marion, Indiana (April 22, 2025) – In a tragedy that has left the Marion community heartbroken, 17-year-old Julio Matamoros, affectionately known as Lio, was fatally shot earlier this week after an attempted transaction turned violent. Lio, a beloved young man with a bright future and a passion for baseball, was killed on Monday, April 21, when a planned meeting for a vape cartridge sale escalated into a senseless shooting.
The incident took place in the 1500 block of S. Western Avenue around 6:50 p.m. that evening. According to the Marion Police Department, officers responded to the scene where they found Lio suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite immediate efforts to save him, Lio succumbed to his injuries early the following day.
Julio Matamoros was known for his vibrant personality, infectious smile, and love for baseball—a game he had been dedicated to since his childhood. Just days before his untimely death, a series of photographs captured by DCM Photography Studio showed Lio enjoying his time on the diamond, a place where his passion for the game was evident to everyone who knew him.
Trevor Blake, a youth baseball coach who mentored Lio over the years, reflected on the young man’s impact on his life. “He always played the game in a way you could tell he loved it. He was the type of player that gave his all every time,” Blake shared. “He’s certainly going to be missed. He had a big smile and an even bigger heart. When I met him, he just grew on me, and I think he affected everybody that way. His personality drew you to him.”
Lio’s love for baseball and his ability to light up any room with his presence is how many will remember him. Blake recalls how Lio’s vibrant spirit extended far beyond the baseball field, making him a favorite among coaches and peers alike.
However, that innocent joy was tragically interrupted when Lio met 18-year-old Cordel Bice in a parking lot on South Western Avenue to exchange vape cartridges—a meeting that quickly turned deadly. According to police, the sale spiraled out of control, leading to Bice allegedly shooting Lio in the chest.
Before he lost consciousness, Lio was able to give a critical statement to officers. He told them that a white male named “Cordel” had shot him. Lio’s quick thinking and bravery in his final moments helped investigators piece together the sequence of events that led to his death.
The police quickly identified a white Pontiac that had sped away from the scene following the shooting. Within hours, they located the vehicle near an apartment complex in the 500 block of East 3rd Street, which led them to Cordel Bice, who was arrested later that evening.
“It’s just a sad situation,” said Marion Police Deputy Chief Mark Stefanatos. “A young man’s life, which hadn’t even gotten started, is now gone because of a ridiculous act that never had to happen. It’s a tragedy for his family, for the community, and for everyone who knew him.”
Lio was a senior at Mississinewa High School, where his death has deeply shaken students and faculty alike. The school posted a statement offering support to those struggling to cope with the senseless violence. Counseling services have been made available to help both students and staff process the loss of a young life taken far too soon.
Lio’s family and friends are left to grieve the loss of a kind-hearted young man whose future was full of promise. His death has left a void in the community, but also an urgent call for justice. Friends and family are committed to honoring his memory and ensuring that such a senseless act of violence does not define the life of a young man whose impact on others was only just beginning to unfold.
In the wake of this tragedy, local community leaders, coaches, and loved ones are rallying together to support Lio’s family as they navigate this unimaginable pain. Memorials and vigils have been organized in his honor, offering a space for those who knew him to reflect on the legacy of love, kindness, and joy he left behind.
Julio “Lio” Matamoros may no longer be with us, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.