On April 22, 2026 at 1:20 AM, deputies with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 300 block of Norma Drive in the Golden Tower apartment complex in reference to a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a resident who reported hearing four gunshots. The witness stated that when he looked out his window, he observed a male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and pajama pants looking around on the ground near the parking lot before walking off between the apartment buildings.
Deputies conducted a sweep of the immediate area and located four spent shell casings in the parking lot. Two vehicles parked in front of the apartment complex were found to have sustained bullet damage.
Deputies then located a male in the immediate area that matched the description provided by the witness. The witness positively identified the individual, later identified as Michael Lee Dortch, as the same person he observed outside his window immediately after hearing the gunshots.
Dortch was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with deputies and detectives without an attorney present. Dortch initially denied any involvement before admitting to discharging his firearm. Dortch stated he had been followed home by an acquaintance with whom he has had an ongoing dispute. He stated the dispute stemmed from a prior relationship with the acquaintance’s girlfriend.
Dortch told investigators that upon arriving home, he and his girlfriend exited her vehicle and he and the acquaintance began arguing. Dortch stated he went up to his apartment and retrieved a firearm, a 9mm handgun, before returning to the parking lot to confront the individual. He stated he approached the passenger side of a vehicle occupied by the acquaintance, at which point the two began arguing again. Dortch reported that the acquaintance produced a firearm and began shooting at him. Dortch stated he ran behind several parked vehicles and returned fire. He further stated the acquaintance and an unidentified female then fled southbound through the apartment complex.
When questioned about the location of his firearm, Dortch stated he had placed it under a loveseat inside his apartment. After a search warrant was obtained and signed, deputies and detectives conducted a search of the apartment, locating a 9mm handgun under the loveseat. The firearm contained rounds in both the magazine and the chamber.
A serial number check through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealed the firearm had been reported stolen to the Evansville Police in 2024.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office at https://vanderburghsheriff.org/tip-submit/ or by calling (812) 421-6297.
ARRESTED:
Michael Lee Dortch (pictured above), 20, of Evansville. Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon (two counts), Criminal Mischief (two counts), Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
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.
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