Prosecutors charge second suspect in murder case

HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – Prosecutors believe two people are responsible for the death of a McCordsville man, who’s body was found in rural Hancock County last week.

Shawn Hammons, 40, the man accused in connection to a body that officers say was dumped on the side of the road has been charged with murder and robbery.

According to investigators, they were called to rural Hancock County just east of the airport, after someone saw a body lying on the side of the road. Investigators said 55-year-old Shannon Kitchens of Mccordsville had died of a gunshot wound and apparently was dumped there.

Court documents show that Hammons told police he was with Kitchens at the time of the murder, but said someone else killed him during a drug deal.

Also charged in the case in Damian Coleman. Coleman faces charges of murder, attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, attempting to deal cocaine and conspiracy to deal cocaine.

According to court documents, Coleman and Hammons conspired to rob Kitchens during a drug deal. Investigators believe they met at the Check ‘n Go in Lawrence, where Kitchens intended to cash a check and then buy drugs from Coleman. Hammons said a struggle occurred after Coleman pulled a gun, then Kitchens was shot.

Hammons said he panicked, drove out to the the country and dumped Kitchens’ body on the road.