DATE: 07-29-2026
SUBJECT: Early Morning Shooting Investigation Leads to Two Arrests
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-NR-0729
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two Evansville men following a shooting early this morning.
Deputies were called to a residence on St. George Road at approximately 0632 hours after Central Dispatch received a report of shots fired. During the initial response, deputies stopped two vehicles leaving the scene. Investigators determined that a male occupant of one of the vehicles had been inside the residence and fired shots at the male occupant of the second vehicle, who was attempting to enter the residence. Both men were transported to the Sheriff’s Operations Center and later arrested on multiple felony charges.
Deputies and detectives began an investigation into the incident. Through multiple interviews, detectives believe that Sir Perriyawn Audrid Kesiya Hailey-Hurtz had gone to the residence at the request of the resident. The resident had been arrested on an unrelated matter and asked Hailey-Hurtz to go to the home and watch her four children because her babysitter had to leave. She also contacted the children’s father and her estranged husband, Daeon Groves, to advise him of the situation and inform him that his stepmother would be picking up the children and that he did not need to come to the residence.
Despite being told not to come to the residence, Groves and another individual went there. Groves confronted Hailey-Hurtz, who was inside the home. By that time, Groves’ children were already inside his stepmother’s vehicle, as she had arrived before him to pick them up.
The confrontation escalated, and investigators allege that Groves displayed a handgun. Groves also opened a window and, according to Hailey-Hurtz, attempted to enter the residence. Hailey-Hurtz stated that Groves pointed the handgun at him. Hailey-Hurtz then fired a 9mm FX-9 pistol/carbine multiple times through the window.
Groves was not struck; however, the vehicle occupied by his companion was struck, flattening both front tires. A house across the street was also struck three times. Two occupants were inside the residence and were in close proximity to where the bullets struck. Groves denied possessing a firearm or making threats but admitted to placing his hand in his pocket to simulate having a weapon. No one was injured during the incident.
Search warrants were obtained and executed on both vehicles and the residence. Investigators recovered the FX-9 firearm, several spent shell casings, and a round catcher from the vehicle occupied by Hailey-Hurtz. A round catcher is a device that attaches to a firearm and catches spent shell casings as they are ejected while the weapon is being fired. This prevents the shell casings from being left at the scene.
After both Groves and Hailey-Hurtz were interviewed, they were arrested and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Both will be held without bond pending their initial court appearance. The investigation remains ongoing.
ARRESTED:
Daeon Juwon Groves, 28, Evansville
Charges:
- Burglary, Level 2 Felony
- Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
- Pointing a Firearm, Level 6 Felony
ARRESTED:
Sir Perriyawn Audrid Kesiya Hailey-Hurtz, 27, Evansville
Charges:
- Criminal Recklessness, Level 5 Felony (8 counts)
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.