Marion, Indiana (April 22, 2025) – Community Mourns the Loss of Beloved Teen Julio “Lio” Matamoros in Tragic Shooting
In a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Marion, Indiana, 17-year-old Julio Matamoros—known to friends and family as “Lio”—lost his life in a fatal shooting earlier this week. The tragedy occurred on Monday, April 21, following a planned meeting involving the sale of a vape cartridge that turned violent. The devastating loss of such a promising young life has left residents mourning, and has sparked renewed concerns about youth violence and safety in the area.
According to authorities, Lio had arranged to meet someone for a transaction involving a vape cartridge. What was expected to be a quick exchange instead turned deadly when the encounter escalated. Lio was shot and later pronounced dead, despite emergency responders’ best efforts to save him. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating the incident and pursuing leads as the community anxiously awaits answers.
Lio was a student at Marion High School and a standout baseball player, known not just for his athletic talent, but for his radiant personality and kindness. Coaches, classmates, and teachers alike describe him as a young man full of potential—a natural leader on and off the field who brought joy, laughter, and camaraderie wherever he went. His passion for baseball was evident in his dedication to practice and his dream of playing at the collegiate level.
“He had a gift,” said Coach Daniel Freeman, Lio’s varsity baseball coach. “Not just with the bat or glove, but with people. He lifted everyone up. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”
Friends and fellow students gathered for a vigil Tuesday evening at the school’s baseball field, where candles were lit in Lio’s memory and heartfelt tributes were shared. Messages of love and support have poured in on social media, where many have changed their profile pictures to Lio’s baseball number and shared memories of the teen who “could light up a room with just his smile.”
Lio’s family, devastated by the loss, released a statement through a family friend:
“Julio was our sunshine, our pride, our everything. We are shattered. No family should have to go through this. We ask for privacy as we grieve and urge everyone to honor Lio’s life by spreading love, not violence.”
Marion Police Department Chief Angela Rios addressed the public on Tuesday morning, expressing deep sorrow and vowing justice. “This is not just another statistic. This is a child. This is a community member. We will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
The incident has reignited conversations in Marion and surrounding areas about the dangers facing youth—especially concerning the rise of illicit vaping product sales, online meetups, and gun violence. Local leaders, including school officials, community activists, and clergy members, are calling for greater outreach, education, and preventative measures to ensure tragedies like this are not repeated.
A memorial scholarship fund is being established in Lio’s name to support young athletes pursuing higher education, in honor of the dreams he carried and the legacy he leaves behind.
Funeral arrangements for Julio Matamoros are currently being planned, with details to be announced in the coming days. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to youth outreach programs and violence prevention initiatives in the Marion area.
As Marion grieves, the memory of Lio—his vibrant energy, his love for the game, and the promise he held—remains ever present. In the words of one of his teammates: “He may be gone, but his spirit is still running the bases with us.
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