DATE: February 28, 2023
SUBJECT: Cypress Dale Road Homicide Investigation
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-NR-0228
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Posey County man and the attempted killing of his brother, both residents of Vanderburgh County. Both victims were shot by intruders at an empty residence located Union Township at 5100 Cypress Dale Road in southwestern Vanderburgh County. The property is believed to be owned by the brothers’ family.
On February 27 at approximately 1643 hours, deputies and EMS responded to a report of a man down and bleeding at that address. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim outside the house and found a deceased male inside the residence. Shortly after deputies arrived, a juvenile male called 911 to report that he and a friend had been at the address. The juvenile advised Dispatch that subjects in a truck arrived at the residence and assaulted his friend, Austin D. Ousley, 18, who then shot both subjects. The juvenile advised that he was no longer with the Ousley. With the assistance of the Indiana State Police, the juvenile was taken to the Vanderburgh County Operations Center to be interviewed by detectives.
The Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department then began a search for Ousley. Ousley made self-incriminating social media posts and was eventually located behind the Rural King on Morgan Ave by a friend with whom he had been communicating. Ousley was found in his vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a local hospital and was later transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis where he is listed in critical condition.
The juvenile was interviewed by Sheriff’s detectives. In his statement, he told investigators that he and Ousley had entered what they believed to be an abandoned house to take pictures. The juvenile said that he believed they had been in the house several weeks prior to do the same thing. He said he and Ousley liked to go to various locations in the area to take pictures.
Detectives noted that both the storm door and entry door on one side of the house had been forced open. Evidence at the scene indicated that the shooting occurred inside the residence and that the survivor exited the house before collapsing near the roadway.
The juvenile was taken into custody for Residential Entry and transported to the Youth Care Center pending a hearing in Juvenile Court. The investigation is continuing and the Sheriff’s Office is in consultation with the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on potential charges should Ousley survive. An autopsy on the deceased victim will be conducted by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office.
Deceased:
Shawn Wildt, 36, of Mt. Vernon, IN.
Injured:
Chad Wildt, 42, of Evansville.
Austin D. Ousley, 18, of Evansville.
In Custody:
JUVENILE, 17, of Evansville.
Involved Agencies:
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
Evansville Police Department
Indiana State Police
Perry Township Fire Department
Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
-END-