A 15-year-old Indiana boy has been sentenced to a century behind bars after a gang-related shooting that prosecutors say was a failed attempt to kill a witness from another crime ended with an innocent woman losing her life.
Jo’Majze Larry, from Anderson, Indiana, was only 14 years old when prosecutors say he took part in the deadly attack outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub on February 2, 2025.
The shooting killed 26-year-old Dayla Swain, who authorities said was not the intended target and was caught in the middle of what they described as a planned gang hit.
Larry was later convicted of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, criminal organization activity, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Shooting That Hit the Wrong Person
According to prosecutors, Larry was affiliated with the gang Mickey Cobra Nation (MCN) and helped plan an attack against a person connected to a previous homicide investigation.
The target was allegedly a witness to another killing involving a 15-year-old victim in 2023. Prosecutors said Larry and co-defendant Rashawn Samuels worked with other gang members to locate and silence that witness.
However, the plan went wrong.
During the shooting outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub in Anderson, Swain was struck by gunfire despite not being the intended target.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed the chaos that followed, including Swain being struck by a vehicle as people fled the scene.
When police arrived around 3 a.m., Swain was suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to Community Hospital, where she later died.
Her family remembered her as a “phenomenal mother, sister, daughter and friend.”
Two other women were also injured during the incident — one by gunfire and another after being hit by a fleeing vehicle.
The Evidence Against Larry
After the shooting, Larry fled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while his parents reported him missing.
He later turned himself in to authorities on March 2, 2025.
During the investigation, prosecutors presented evidence including Instagram and Snapchat conversations between Larry and Samuels.
According to prosecutors, the messages showed discussions about weapons, watching the nightclub, and attempts to avoid being captured on surveillance cameras.
A 100-Year Sentence
At sentencing, Judge David Happe gave Larry 50 years for murder, plus another 50 years through the criminal organization enhancement.
The combined sentence means Larry will serve 100 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
His co-defendant, 19-year-old Rashawn Samuels, received an even longer sentence of 125 years for his role in the killing and gang-related charges.
The Madison County Prosecutor’s Office said criminal organizations create additional threats because they coordinate crimes, recruit members, and carry out violence to further their goals.
Possible Sentence Review After 20 Years
Because Larry was under 18 at the time of the crime, Indiana law allows him to request a review of his sentence after serving at least 20 years.
However, prosecutors emphasized that this does not guarantee a shorter sentence or release.
The court would have the authority to either approve or deny any request after considering the facts of the case, the impact on victims’ families, and other circumstances.
For now, the sentence stands: a teenager convicted of a deadly gang shooting is facing 100 years in prison for a crime that prosecutors say was never supposed to end with Dayla Swain losing her life.