Detective tells jury several gangs were at Harvest Homecoming the night of teenager's 2024 murder

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — On the 10th day of Isaiah Page's murder trial Wednesday in New Albany, the prosecution called its final witnesses as it aims to prove Page killed a teenage boy at Harvest Homecoming in 2024.

All throughout the morning, Page's name was mentioned less than a handful of times. In that time, the jury heard from New Albany Police Detective Sabrina Williams, who was on patrol the night of the Harvest Homecoming shooting.

She talked about her knowledge on gangs in the area, including everything from their hand signs to how emojis and music communicate loyalties and add to members' street credibility.

The jury saw Instagram posts and cellphone video of Page throwing what the detective said were gang signs.

The prosecution used her testimony to establish that several gangs were present the night of Harvest Homecoming and that Page is a gang member.

The jury also saw evidence that included texts and his Apple Notes app that referenced a "hot" 40-caliber gun. Detectives believe someone confronted him and he responded with actions, not words.

They also saw his messages where he talked about what happened at Harvest Homecoming and that he shared a news station's post about the shooting on his Instagram story.

Page also had pictures of himself with guns posted on Oct. 22, 24 and 28.

The defense approached the judge and argued "the state has not brought one piece of evidence that shows intent" in regard to his client.

Williams's investigation determined a patten from Page that was consistent with a gang in the area.

Steven Cash, who owns a private investigating office and is former police officer, was called to the stand by the defense.

He was provided surveillance camera footage before the trial and not given any context but told to watch. A video showed the outside of the YMCA on State Street and it shows two guys running.

Another person could be seen and a muzzle flashed in the background. Cash said the person possibly holding a gun was moving fast.

Cash said you can't positively identify the firearm in the video when crossed examined by the state. He didn't review photos, audio, dash-cam, body cam or anything else in relation to the case because he was contacted first on Tuesday.

Darius Hankins, a private investigator, was the next person called to the stand. He's also a former police officer.

Page faces several charges, including one related to gang activity, but none of Williams' testimony spoke to the murder charge. She also didn't see who fired the shots that injured two people and killed Bryce Gerlach.

Throughout this trial, that's been a common issue for the prosecution: Only a few witnesses so far said they saw Page fire a gun. But two said he shot into the air.

The trial will pick back up at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Background

During opening statements, Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said Page intended to "kill another member of a group but missed," hitting Gerlach. Lane also said Page, dressed in all black with a backpack, was at an elevated level, at the Scribner House at State and Main streets, when he fired six shots onto the groups of people at the ride area.

A gun was never recovered from the scene.

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.

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