DATE: Tuesday, September 3, 2024
SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-NR-0903
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man for several felony charges including Attempted Murder. The charges stem from an incident in which the suspect, Derek Anthony Smith, shot at another man in the driveway of a river camp on Lynn Rd near the Angel Mounds Boat Ramp.
At 1711 hundred hours, the victim called Evansville Joint Central Dispatch advising that he had been shot at by the suspect who had left the scene. The victim told Dispatch that he was following the suspect in his vehicle and was able to guide responding deputies and Evansville Police officers to the suspect’s location. An EPD officer was able to conduct a traffic stop, taking the suspect into custody without incident. A handgun was visible in the floorboards of the suspect’s vehicle.
The victim told investigators that he was inside his vehicle in the driveway of a friend’s river camp on Lynn Rd when the suspect drove past him several times before stopping directly in front of him, blocking him in the driveway. He called to the suspect who did not respond. Instead, the suspect pulled alongside the victim, pulled out a handgun and fired one shot directly at the victim. The victim had what appeared to be a grazing injury along the length of his forearm. The victim exited his vehicle and charged the suspect. He was able to push the gun down and strike the suspect several times in the head in an attempt to stop the attack. He was then able to wrestle the gun away from the suspect who produced a knife and began repeatedly trying to stab the victim. The victim, fearing for his life, hit the suspect a number of times and was able to back away from the vehicle. The suspect put his vehicle in reverse, pulled away from the victim, then drove it directly at him knocking him down with the car. The suspect then fled the scene; however, the victim was able to get back into his vehicle and follow the suspect which eventually led to his arrest. The victim did not know the suspect and had never met him prior to this incident.
The suspect was taken to an area hospital for his injuries. He was interviewed and admitted to shooting at the victim and to running him over with his car. The suspect admitted that he did not know the victim prior to this incident.
At this time, the suspect is receiving medical care at the hospital and will be booked into the jail at a later time. He is being charged with Attempted Murder, Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Criminal Recklessness with a Firearm.
Arrested: Derek Anthony Smith, Evansville, age 64
Charges: Attempted Murder L1 Felony, Battery w/Deadly Weapon L5 Felony, Criminal Recklessness L5 Felony
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