DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. -- Police have arrested a second suspect in the attempted murder of a 23-year old Kokomo man.
Delaware County Sheriff’s SWAT team arrested Braden Winters, 19, at a home in the 800 block of W. Main Street Thursday afternoon.
Winters had been wanted since the May 27 shooting and robbery of Austin Mealer, 23, of Kokomo.
Winters was spotted in Muncie by US Marshal Service personnel.
A spokesperson with Kokomo police told Call 6 Investigates they had received information that Winters was staying in Muncie.
Winters attempted to run out the back of the home and was stopped by waiting deputies as the Delaware County Sheriff’s SWAT team entered the front of the home, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Austin Mealer, 23, of Kokomo said he was robbed of his cellphone and $300 by two suspects, who he said both shot him in the head.
Mealer survived, but he and his mother have been vocal about wanting justice.
Another suspect, Armando Shields, was also arrested and is preliminarily charged with attempted murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, both felonies.
Shields, 17, is being charged as an adult.
“We don’t need people like that on the street,” Mealer said. “The law needs to do their job.”
Mealer told police he played dead after being shot the first time, and heard one of the suspects say “should I put another one in him” before he was shot a second time.
Mealer said the suspects were considered acquaintances.
Shields is known by the street name “Mondo Luis”, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
Aysha Guffey, Austin’s mother, said Monday she was relieved at least one arrest had been made.
If you have any information on the second suspect or the shooting, contact Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
