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Man charged with reckless murder after prostitution deal turns deadly

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A deal that promised sex for cash turned deadly. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, in May, a man answered an ad on Backpage.com. The seductive advertisement promised a woman shown on the screen.

When the man arrived to the Knights Inn Motel near 21st Street and North Shadeland Avenue, he found a man in the motel room with a woman who didn’t fit the description of the ad, so he declined the offer.

Detectives say Demarcus Poole then pulled a gun on the man and took his cash. The victim left, but he returned with his friend, 18-year-old Oscar Gonzalez. The two confronted Poole and shots were fired. Detectives say Poole was struck multiple times, including in the groin. Gonzalez was struck in the back and later died of his injuries.

Detectives later arrested Poole and charged him with criminal recklessness in the murder of Gonzalez. Police have not identified the woman in the room with Poole. So far, prosecutors have not announced any other charges in the case.

IMPD used surveillance video taken from the motel, which shows the altercations between Gonzalez and Poole.

A man who identified himself as the owner of the motel declined our request for an interview