The Lead Off
- Eight alleged members of the Mickey Cobra Nation gang have been charged in connection with the 2025 shooting death of a bystander in Anderson.
- Investigators allege the intended target was a witness in an unrelated homicide case, not the woman who was killed.
- Several suspects have been convicted or are awaiting trial, while one suspect remains at large.
ANDERSON, IND. (WOWO) Eight alleged members of the Mickey Cobra Nation (MCN) gang have been charged in connection with the February 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain, according to Madison County court records.
Investigators allege the group planned to kill a witness in an unrelated homicide case but instead fatally shot Swain outside Sonny Ray’s Café in Anderson according to Fox 59.
Woman killed during alleged targeted attack
According to court documents, Anderson police responded to Sonny Ray’s Café in the 1500 block of South Madison Avenue around 3 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2025, after reports of a shooting.
Officers found that Swain had been shot once in the chest. She was taken to Community Hospital in Anderson before being transferred to an Indianapolis hospital, where she later died.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed several individuals exiting a white vehicle and approaching a dark blue Ford F-150 parked nearby. Detectives reported the video appeared to capture multiple gunshots fired toward the truck.
Police said Swain had been speaking with the driver of the pickup moments before the shooting. As she attempted to flee, investigators said the pickup driver accidentally ran over her legs while leaving the scene.
Evidence recovered at the scene included:
- Eight spent 9mm shell casings.
- One extended .45-caliber handgun magazine containing 14 rounds.
- One loose .45-caliber cartridge.
Investigators also documented multiple bullet strikes on the Ford F-150.
Investigators allege witness was intended target
According to court records, detectives believe the shooters intended to kill the driver of the pickup truck rather than Swain.
Police allege the driver witnessed the 2023 killing of Julian Craig and was expected to testify in the prosecution of Donavan Harris.
Court documents state investigators believe members of the Mickey Cobra Nation sought to prevent the witness from testifying by carrying out the planned shooting.
Detectives also reported the intended target had been involved in a dispute with one of the defendants in the days before the shooting.
Court documents describe planning effort
Investigators say they recovered group chat messages in which several suspects allegedly discussed plans to kill the witness.
According to court filings, the conversations included discussions about:
- Police response times near Sonny Ray’s Café.
- Security cameras and license plate readers in the area.
- Using airplane mode on cell phones.
- Concerns about being arrested after the shooting.
Police also obtained surveillance video showing several suspects meeting in Anderson days before the shooting and later gathering at one defendant’s home before the attack.
Court documents further allege some individuals were seen displaying firearms they were prohibited from possessing.
Suspects face varying charges
The defendants identified in court records are:
- Ja’Brawll Thomas
- Kyree Craver
- Rashawn Samuels
- Rejon Smith
- Jo’Majze Larry
- Geno Moffett
- Javeayon Johnson
- Javeaian Johnson
The charges vary by defendant but include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, reckless homicide, criminal organization activity involving a firearm, and gang-related sentencing enhancements.
Court records show several defendants have already been convicted by juries, while others are awaiting trial or sentencing.
Authorities say Moffett remains the only defendant who has not been arrested. Court records indicate investigators believe he may be in Centralia, Illinois.
Multiple court proceedings continue
According to court records:
- Rashawn Samuels was found guilty by a jury on June 29 of multiple felony charges, including aiding, inducing or causing murder and attempted murder. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30.
- Kyree Craver was convicted on multiple charges and is scheduled for sentencing July 9.
- Jo’Majze Larry was convicted of murder, attempted murder and related offenses. Sentencing is scheduled for July 29.
- Rejon Smith’s trial has been delayed because of court congestion, with a scheduling conference set for July 14.
- Ja’Brawll Thomas has a hearing scheduled for July 7.
- Jury trials for Javeayon Johnson and Javeaian Johnson are scheduled to begin Sept. 28.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against defendants who have not been convicted are allegations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Takeaway
- Prosecutors allege eight members of the Mickey Cobra Nation gang participated in a planned attack targeting a homicide witness, resulting instead in the death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside an Anderson business.
- Court records describe surveillance video, recovered evidence and social media communications that investigators say document planning for the shooting and efforts to avoid detection afterward.
- Several defendants have already been convicted or are awaiting sentencing, while additional trials are scheduled and one suspect remains the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant.
Next steps
The Madison County court system will continue hearing the remaining cases in the coming months, with several sentencing hearings and jury trials already scheduled. Authorities also continue efforts to locate and arrest the remaining defendant who has not yet been taken into custody.
