Tyler L Ondersma

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Fort Wayne Police Department (IN)

Offense Location:

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Summary:

Tyler L. Ondersma, 24, of Fort Wayne was shot multiple times while sitting on his porch at 1616 Howell Street on December 16, 2021. He died from his gunshot wounds at a local hospital. The death was ruled a homicide. As of early 2022, no one had been arrested, though Fort Wayne Police released video of a suspect in a black hoodie.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

Around 12:20 a.m. on December 16, 2021, Tyler L. Ondersma called 911 and said he was sitting on his porch at 1616 Howell Street suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics eventually found Ondersma a block away at a home on Richardson Street. He was taken to a local hospital, where he would ultimately die. An autopsy found Ondersma died from multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide. No one believes Tyler used drugs or was involved in that world. He worked regularly and rented the home on Howell Street where he lived with his two dogs, one a boxer pit bull mix and the other a blue nosed pitbull.

Additional Details:

Fort Wayne Police released video that they said showed the suspect in the shooting, with video possibly connected to the shooting that occurred at 1600 Howell Street on December 16, 2021 at approximately 12:22 a.m. The video is blurry but clear enough to make out a man buried in a black hoodie. Tyler's sister, Emily Ondersma, has blown up the video, revealing a face. No one has been arrested, but the tight knit family is not about to give up. Tyler was known for impromptu gestures of kindness. He'd show up at his sister's home with dinner, just because he knew she was busy with her four children and her fiancé. He once bought shoes for the homeless and visited their camp behind Superior Street. A memorial to Tyler Ondersma and his father, Phillip Ondersma, who died several months ago.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 06, 2026