EVANSVILLE, IN — The city of Evansville is dealing with profound grief and disbelief after the conviction of 16-year-old Isam Rodell Clark, who was found guilty for the deadly shooting of 19-year-old Dalton Collins. On November 3, 2025, Clark was declared guilty for his involvement in the tragic incident that took place on March 22, 2025, during a planned drug heist.
A jury found Clark guilty of homicide and two counts of attempted robbery resulting in severe injuries following the shooting incident on the 2800 block of Lodge Avenue. Court documents reveal that Collins and his companion, Zachary Kiper, had come to the spot for a marijuana transaction organized by a mutual acquaintance, Ethan Baughn. While they waited inside their vehicle, two masked attackers approached. As one of the attackers engaged Collins and Kiper, Clark began shooting, hitting Collins in the back. Kiper reacted by firing back in self-defense, causing the situation to escalate rapidly.
Collins ultimately died from his wounds, while Kiper sustained an arm injury. The second attacker, identified later as Derrick Brifil, was also hit during the gunfire; Brifil, who faced charges alongside Clark, was injured in the abdomen.
Investigation Reveals Conspiracy Among Defendants
The incident was unveiled as part of a plot concocted by Clark, Brifil, and Baughn, who had previously been held together in a juvenile detention center. Prosecutors maintained that their shared past contributed to their relationship and the conspiracy to commit a crime. Struggling to gather funds for drugs, the trio orchestrated a plot to rob the sellers during the deal.
A significant element uncovered during the investigation was Brifil’s vehicle, which was discovered parked near Clark’s residence. Ammunition and shell casings matching those found at the scene were later taken from a trash bag outside Clark’s home, alongside Clark’s damp clothing, which seemed to have been quickly washed.
Forensic Evidence and Testimony from Co-Defendants
Throughout the trial, witnesses Zachary Kiper, Derrick Brifil, and Ethan Baughn provided testimony for the prosecution, affirming Clark’s role as the shooter. Their statements, combined with communications before and following the event, highlighted the premeditated aspect of the attack. The physical evidence—including matching shell casings and discarded garments—was integral to the prosecution's argument.
Accountability and the Growing Concern of Juvenile Gun Violence
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers underscored the necessity of holding Clark responsible for his actions, even at his young age. “This was a calculated, intentional act with minimal respect for human life,” she stated, noting that it illustrates the alarming increase in gun violence among youths. Moers attributed this dangerous trend to social media influences and the veneration of firearms by teenagers.
As Clark awaits sentencing, set for December 4, 2025, he could receive a prison term ranging from 45 to 65 years for the murder charge and between 10 to 30 years for each attempted robbery charge. Judge Ryan D. Hatfield will preside over the sentencing proceedings at the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court.
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