NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — Friday provided a step toward closure in the Harvest Homecoming shooting.
A jury found Isaiah Page guilty of murdering 18-year-old Bryce Gerlach at the New Albany, Indiana, fall festival in October 2024.
Gerlach’s girlfriend stood beside him when those shots rang out.
On the stand, she broke down saying their "anniversary was the day he died." She now calls it the "most traumatic moment" of her life.
Isaiah Page is accused of being the alleged shooter that killed 18-year-old Bryce Gerlach at the festival event in 2024.
"It was a tough case -- it really was," Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said. "A lot of evidence."
Prosecutors argued it all started with gang violence.
They said Page went to Harvest Homecoming to shoot someone in a “rival gang” but missed.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Liz Stigdon told jurors, "Bryce didn't have a choice that night. He had no chance and he is dead because of the defendant's choices."
Investigators said several people opened fire that night. But one-by-one, prosecutors ruled out other suspects.
Witnesses described seeing a gunman dressed in black while carrying a backpack.
Inside Page’s dorm, investigators found a black ski mask, clothing, and a backpack that matched those descriptions.
They also pulled messages from Page's phone.
Days after the shooting, Page wrote "this ain’t no regular gun. It’s a hot one" and "I shot my gun and made the news."
The defense pushed back by calling it all "circumstantial evidence."
Police never found the murder weapon. No pictures, video or DNA ever tied Page to the scene.
They argued other leads were never fully pursued including Darius Tuff, who is serving 37 years for shooting two other bystanders that night.
Police are investigating after a shooting in New Albany, Indiana during Harvest Homecoming on Oct. 12, 2024. (WDRB image)
"There were bullets flying everywhere," said Dustin White, with the Floyd County Public Defender's Office. "It was absolutely chaotic in that area, and we are just trying to convey that there is more than one option here in respect to how Mr. Gerlach died."
But after 12 days of testimony and four hours of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict.
He was found guilty on all counts: murder, attempted murder, attempted aggravated battery and criminal recklessness.
Page also faces two sentencing enhancements for use of a firearm and gang activity which could significantly increase his prison time.
"That again can up to double the murder charge on time, so we're very grateful for that," Lane said.
"We'll see what happens if there's any appeals or anything down the road," said Coy Travis, with the Floyd County Public Defender's Office.
Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom for this trial. Throughout the past three weeks, Page remained composed.
But after hearing the verdict and the enhancements, he reacted by violently shaking his head and saying the case was stacked against him from the start.
"He just got hit with some life-changing news," White said. "When anyone receives news like that, they have to process that."
"We've spent the last 16 months pursuing justice, and we're so thankful that on this long road — we've come to the end," Lane said.
Page is the 13th person charged in connection to this tragedy. His sentencing is scheduled for April 30 and it could last several days.
Background
The shooting happened in the ride area in the middle of the packed annual Harvest Homecoming fall festival the evening of Oct. 12, 2024. Gerlach, a Corydon Central High School senior, was killed, and two other people were injured. Police have said all three were innocent bystanders who weren't involved in an alleged argument that broke out between two groups of people, which police believe led to the shooting.
Brendan Hagan, a 22-year-old father, was shot when walking to the restroom. Michele Nashi, a single mother, was shot while waiting for her son and his friend to get off a carnival ride. Both survived the shooting.
Twelve other people have already been sentenced in connection to the shooting.
Shermichael Smith was sentenced in November to nine years in prison for his role in the shooting. Smith pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in two of the shootings. The charge came with a five-year gun enhancement. A murder charge was dropped by Indiana prosecutors against Smith in July 2025. Smith provided the vehicle that took others from Louisville to where the shooting happened, and his defense attorney argued that he got caught up in the chaos of the shooting.
Smith's cousin, Joshua Smith, of Louisville, was sentenced in March to more than seven years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal in February. Joshua Smith originally faced 11 charges in connection to the shooting, including murder. However, he pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to armed robbery. As part of his plea deal, Joshua Smith is required to testify in ongoing cases connected to the shooting. He will also have about two years of probation following his release.
Darius Tuff, of Louisville, was sentenced in April to 37 years in prison, made up of 16 years each for two aggravated battery charges, and an additional five years for use of a firearm in the crimes. Tuff was not accused of killing Gerlach. Lane recommended the 37-year sentence as part of Tuff's plea agreement after he pleaded guilty in February.
Officials said Joshua Smith, Tuff, and Shermichael Smith were all roommates.
Damarius Gardiner Person, 18, of Louisville, was sentenced to six years in prison in May after pleading guilty to multiple charges in connection with the shooting, including assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice. He was initially charged with murder, aggravated battery, assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.
More Coverage:
Isaiah Page found guilty of murdering 18-year-old at Harvest Homecoming after 12-day trial
Defense claims evidence doesn't prove who fired fatal shot in Harvest Homecoming murder
Detective tells jury several gangs were at Harvest Homecoming the night of teenager's 2024 murder
Bryce Gerlach's girlfriend tells jury he was killed at Harvest Homecoming on their 1st anniversary
Prosecutors outline what led them to arrest 19-year-old charged with Harvest Homecoming murder
Trial begins for man accused of killing teen at Harvest Homecoming
12th defendant sentenced in Harvest Homecoming shooting that killed Bryce Gerlach
Louisville man sentenced in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting in New Albany
Several suspects in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting avoid trial with plea deals
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