Episode 179: Montana Lopez

Montana Lopez was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 6, 1998. He was a Freshman at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Although Montana grew up in foster care, he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his dream of earning his college degree and finding a career. He was also especially close to his 3 siblings. He had a twin sister named Juanita, a brother named Nick and his oldest sister Santeanna. Although the siblings didn’t all live together under one roof, they tried to keep in touch with each other.


Friends and family who knew Montana described him as a kind and considerate young man. He was athletic and loved going to the gym and listening to music. He had made a lot of friends while in college and had lived in a nice home with roommates just outside the Ball State campus.


On Friday June 18, 2021, Montana hosted a party at his home located at the 1300 block of West Abbott Street in Muncie. The party got loud and police were called to the scene. Montana was told to keep the noise down. Law enforcement left the home without making any arrests or shutting down the party. This wouldn’t be the last time law enforcement would visit. They would return to the residence on June 19, 2021, just after 2 a.m.


Law enforcement had received a call that someone had been shot at the residence. Montana died after being shot in the neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old teenager would be taken into custody for being involved in the shooting. However, he has since been released and faced no punishment.


According to Montana’s sister Santeanna, several people at the party had taken photos and recorded video of the carnage. Several witnesses at the party told Santeanna that they saw the 15-year-old teenager shoot Montana to death. She has had conversations with law enforcement and asked why the 15-year-old boy isn’t in custody. She said law enforcement knows the teen shot her brother, but they haven’t charged him with the killing.


If you have any information about this unsolved homicide, please contact the Muncie Police Department's criminal investigation division at 765-747-4867; Muncie Crime Stoppers at 765-286-4050, or city police dispatchers at 765-747-4838. And if you would like to view Montana’s thoughts on foster care, please visit https://fostersuccess.org/montana-lopez-the-one-thing-they-cant-take-is-my-name/


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