Second person sentenced for role in Harvest Homecoming shooting

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WAVE) - It’s been six months since the Harvest Homecoming shooting in New Albany that killed one person and injured two others. In that time, several people have been arrested.

The lead detective on the case called it one of the most complex cases in his 26-year career.

Joshua Smith has been sentenced to 10 years for his role in the shooting death of Bryce Gerlach and Thursday, a Darius Tuff learned he will spend more time in jail than that.

“He did not have to come to Harvest Homecoming with a weapon,” Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said. “He didn’t have to pull his weapon out. He did not have to pull the trigger at least three times in a crowded area and hit two innocent people. But those were his choices.”

On Oct. 12, 2024, the fun at Harvest Homecoming turned to chaos in a matter of seconds. A shooting between two groups caused the death of 18-year-old Gerlach and two others were injured. The investigation into the shooting led police to arrest several people, including 25-year-old Tuff.

Investigators said Tuff’s bullets did not kill Gerlach, but shot two other innocent bystanders. In a plea agreement set in February, Tuff pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery and firearm enhancement.

“Three. At least three projectiles were fired by Darius Tuff,” Lane said. “At least two people were hit. The magnitude of that affect Bryce and the hundreds of people in that area.”

During Tuff’s sentencing, Bryce’s mom Heather Gerlach said the plea deal was not sufficient. Her words to Tuff were “You can still see your family.”

We also heard from a witness who was shot, telling Tuff “I hope you learned something.”

Tuff took the stand and offered his apologies to the court and families of those impacted. When it came to his sentencing, the court took many things into consideration, including Tuff’s previous arrest records and a bench warrant out of Georgia.

“It’s important because if someone is out on probation or parole or pretrial release, that shows the community although they got the opportunity to do something different, they did not,” Lane said.

Based on the evidence, testimony and reports, the prosecution recommended 37 years and that judge agreed, sentencing Tuff to 37 years in prison.

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