FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A late-night party at Tillman Park turned into a deadly crime scene on Monday, June 23, after a shooting left one man dead and another critically injured. Now, chilling new details are emerging about the 17-year-old suspect, Josiyah Derrick, who allegedly confessed to the shooting on social media just hours after the incident.
Derrick, who is facing preliminary charges of murder and unlawful possession of a handgun, is accused of killing 20-year-old Eriyn Brionne White and injuring another unnamed male victim during a confrontation police believe was fueled by a personal dispute over a romantic relationship.
A Party Turns Fatal
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Fort Wayne Police Officer Brian Martin, more than 20 frantic 911 calls flooded dispatchers just before midnight on June 23, reporting a shooting at a party in Tillman Park. First responders arrived to find White dead at the scene, while the second male victim was found in very critical condition.
The motive, investigators believe, stems from escalating “beef” between Derrick and the surviving victim — reportedly due to conflict over a girl. That dispute, according to multiple witness statements, came to a violent head at the park that night.
Social Media Clues: A Self-Made Confession?
In the days following the shooting, police received vital information from witnesses, including one who identified Derrick as the shooter and shared his Instagram handle with authorities. What detectives uncovered was deeply disturbing — and possibly self-incriminating.
One video, posted just two hours after the shooting, allegedly shows Derrick making an alarming statement:
“Stop saying I got shot gang. We do the shooting n****. Stop playing crazy,”
along with two fire explosion emojis, according to court documents.
Another witness shared with investigators that Derrick allegedly bragged about the shooting, telling him directly that he fired three shots toward the unnamed victim and wished he had killed him.
The Arrest and Weapon Evidence
On Thursday morning, authorities located Derrick during a traffic stop on East Rudisill Boulevard. Police say they found two live 9mm rounds in his pocket and recovered a handgun in the trunk of his vehicle. The gun was later confirmed by forensic testing to have fired rounds found at the crime scene.
The day after the shooting, detectives also spoke with Derrick and his mother. In his statement to police, Derrick offered a conflicting account of the events. He claimed he retrieved the gun from his trunk at the party and fired a single shot into the air, then placed it back in the vehicle. He also mentioned the gun malfunctioned, allegedly causing a round to fire into the ground.
However, the firearm test results, the Instagram posts, and witness statements seem to tell a much more deliberate and violent story — one that aligns closely with the injuries and shell casings found at the park.
Charges and the Path Forward
As of now, Derrick has been formally taken into custody and is facing preliminary charges of murder and unlawful carrying of a handgun. Given his age — just 17 — prosecutors will likely face decisions in the coming days on whether he will be charged as an adult.
The Fort Wayne Police Department and Allen County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing their investigation, and more charges could follow depending on the condition of the second victim and the results of ongoing forensic analysis.
Community Shock and Mourning
The deadly shooting has shaken the Fort Wayne community, particularly those close to Eriyn White, who was just beginning adulthood. Friends described him as “full of potential and always respectful,” a young man whose life was abruptly cut short by senseless violence.
As one resident put it:
“These kids have access to guns, and they don’t realize that one decision can change so many lives forever. Now one boy is dead, another fighting to live, and the shooter’s life is also over.”
In response to the tragedy, community leaders have renewed calls for youth conflict resolution programs, gun safety initiatives, and mental health support — especially as summer gatherings and parties increase.
As the legal process moves forward, a community is left grieving, a family is devastated, and yet another life has been claimed by the tragic consequences of violence among teens.
