WHITESTOWN, Ind. — A homeowner has been arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the November 5 shooting death of a cleaning crew member who went to the wrong address.
Curt Andersen was formally charged with voluntary manslaughter related to the death of Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez, 32, of Indianapolis. Court records show Andersen was booked into the Boone County Jail.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood announced the charges during a Monday afternoon press conference, nearly two weeks after the deadly shooting in Whitestown's Heritage subdivision.
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Velasquez was shot and killed around 7 a.m. November 5 after she and her husband mistakenly arrived at the wrong address for a cleaning job.
Velasquez was found on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Boone County Coroner's Office ruled the death a homicide.
Velasquez's husband, Mauricio Velazquez, said through a translator that he double-checked the address before arriving at the home. "I never thought it was a shot, but I realized when my wife took two steps back," he said. "She looked like she'd been hit in the head. She fell into my arms, and I saw that the blood went everywhere."
The couple had four children, with their youngest being 11 months old. The family is seeking to have Velasquez buried in her home country of Guatemala.
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New details revealed
According to the probable cause affidavit, Andersen fired one shot through his locked front door from the top of his stairs, fatally striking Velasquez in the head. Andersen and his wife were awakened by sounds at their front door and believed someone was trying to break in.
Andersen told detectives he heard what appeared to be "keys, tools, or instrument being used on the front door" and could see two people outside. He retrieved his Glock 48 handgun, loaded it, and positioned himself at the top of the stairwell.
Andersen said he fired the shot 10-15 seconds after retrieving his weapon, telling investigators the people outside were "thrusting" at the door and becoming "more and more aggressive." He admitted he never announced himself before firing.
The affidavit reveals there was no forced entry, no disturbance to dust on the door, and no evidence of scratches around the lock. Crime scene investigators found Andersen's spent shell casing on the eighth step of his staircase.
According to the affidavit, Andersen told investigators he was a psychiatric registered nurse and worked for the Navy for more than 20 years. He said the only time he had shot a gun before was during his Navy service.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood said Andersen's actions "do not fall within the legal protections provided by the Indiana Stand Your Ground law" based on the evidence and circumstances of the case.
Eastwood also addressed social media rumors, clarifying that Andersen "has no affiliation with any local police department" and has never been a police officer.
The court will set Andersen's initial hearing date no later than Friday.
