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Stolen Handgun Fired by Juveniles Inside a Vanderburgh County Residence

DATE: December 08, 2024
SUBJECT: Stolen Handgun Fired by Juveniles Inside a Vanderburgh County Residence
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-NR-1208
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at approximately 12:52 PM, deputies with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shots-fired incident at a residence in the 4000 block of Kuebler Road. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a delivery driver had heard a firearm discharge inside the home and observed several juveniles exiting the residence.

Further investigation revealed that two juveniles, a 13-year-old female and a 13-year-old male, had stolen a firearm from an unlocked truck parked at a neighbor’s residence. The juveniles were reportedly “messing with” the firearm inside the bathroom when the weapon was negligently discharged, causing a bullet to lodge in the wall of the home.

“This incident highlights the dangerous combination of unsupervised minors and firearms,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson. “Leaving firearms unsecured in vehicles poses a serious threat to public safety. We are fortunate that this incident did not result in a tragic outcome.”

Both juveniles have been referred to juvenile court and were transported to the Youth Care Center (YCC) pending an initial court appearance. They face charges of Theft of a Firearm, a Level 5 Felony, and Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Indiana is one of twenty-five states without a safe gun storage law. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to properly secure firearms and to keep them out of reach of minors.

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