OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — The Owen County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man they say is responsible for fatally shooting a 23-year-old Bloomington man and leaving his body in a field just outside Monroe County.
Quentin Porter Jr., 25, of Bloomington, is charged with murder (a felony), and auto theft (a level 6 felony).
According to court documents, on July 15, a driver reported finding the body of Malik Sims, 23, in a field while driving on Stephenson Road just across the Monroe-Owen County line.
Sims' head was wrapped in a black plastic bag.
An autopsy would later find that Sims was shot in the head. His death was ruled a homicide.
Court documents state that while police were at the scene investigating, a man had approached and said he was Sims' longtime friend and they share their location on their phone.
The man reported to be looking for Sims since he was last seen the afternoon before.
As the investigation continued, police were in search of Sims' car, which was not near the field his body was found or at his apartment in Bloomington.
According to court documents, the car was picked up on traffic cameras late July 14 in Indianapolis and was spotted at several locations in the metro on July 15 as well.
While police in Owen County continued investigating, a second man, who was Sim's roommate, approached officers.
He told investigators Sims was last seen leaving their apartment with Porter Jr. on July 14, and referred to him as "QP"
In an interview with police on July 18, Sims' girlfriend told investigators that Sims sent her a snap message at 3:15 p.m. July 14 which said "QP got me going through some bulls**t."
Police found Sims' car on July 16 at Porter's grandmothers house on the northeast side of Indianapolis. That same day, the grandmother reported Porter had stolen her vehicle.
According to court documents, police detained Porter.
Later, while police executed a search warrant, they noticed Sims' car in the driveway. Porter was not home during the search warrant, police said.
Indiana State Police towed and processed the car for evidence.
Court documents state that a large amount of blood was found in the vehicle along with traces of bleach and spray paint.
Investigators also found a receipt from an O'Reilly Auto Parts store in Indianapolis with a date of July 15, and had purchases of seat covers and duct tape.
In surveillance video, investigators reported seeing Porter make the purchase and obtained the credit card information used in the payment.
On July 17, according to court documents, a man called a towing company in Bloomington to request a 2012 or 2013 car, which matched Sims' car, be towed from Indianapolis to Bloomington.
The man made a $400 payment using the same credit card used to purchase the items at O'Reilly Auto Parts in Indianapolis.
Porter was stopped by Bloomington Police on July 18 while driving a rental car out of Indianapolis.
Porter had an initial hearing in Owen County on Thursday. Per state statute, murder suspects are held without bond until the case is resolved.
If convicted, Porter faces up to life in prison, according to Indiana Sentencing Guidelines.
