WHITESTOWN — The Whitetown Metropolitan Police say it has completed its initial investigation into the shooting that killed Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez. The case has been formally submitted to the Boone County Prosecutor's Office for review.
In its most recent press release on Friday, Whitestown Metro Police said the department is aware of claims made online that the homeowner involved in this shooting is a local police officer.
"We want to unequivocally state that these claims are entirely false. No officer—whether currently serving, retired, resigned, terminated, or otherwise affiliated with the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department or any other police department—resides at or has any personal connection to the location of the incident," Whitestown Police said in the release. "These inaccurate claims pose a serious safety risk to uninvolved officers and their families and must cease immediately."
At this time, no charges have been filed in this case. The Boone County Prosecutor will make final charging decision.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 6
Boone County Coroner Justin Sparks has released the identity of the woman shot and killed at a house in Whitestown.
Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez, 32 of Indianapolis, was a member of a cleaning crew, who police say went to the wrong house by mistake for a job, and was shot by the homeowner from inside the house.
An autopsy was also conducted, and the coroner's office has concluded the manner of death a homicide, resulting from a gunshot wound to the head.
The Boone County Prosecutor told WRTV that homicide in this context does not necessarily imply criminal intent.
“It has no impact. It is a classification of manner of death. No implication in the criminal realm. “
“Homicide in the context means the death was caused by a volitional act by another person, not necessarily implying criminal intent.”
The prosecutor is still determining whether the homeowner will face any charges. This remains an active investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
Police say a member of a cleaning crew arrived at the wrong address just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, and was shot by the homeowner, who fired from inside the house.
Officers were notified of a possible home invasion in the Heritage subdivision. When they arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound that police say came from inside the home. Medical personnel moved her off the front porch and into the street to render life-saving aid, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting has left the community shaken.
"It's a little scary, but you know, you got to know the whole story,” Bev Selky, a Whitestown resident, said.
According to Whitestown police, the people attempting to enter the home were members of a cleaning crew who mistakenly arrived at the wrong address. A bullet hole is visible in the front door; police say the door was never opened, and the homeowner shot the woman through the door.
Questions have been raised about whether Indiana's stand-your-ground law would make the shooting justifiable. Jody Maderia with the Maurer School of Law explains.
"Usually I would say that shooting blindly through a closed door often triggers a prosecution unless the evidence strongly support statutory justifications,” Madeira said. “So basically you have to look at, does this qualify as unlawful entry or an attack on the dwelling?"
It is unclear whether the homeowner will face charges. Some neighbors expressed their own views.
"We had heard that he had shot through the door and killed her. Well, that would be wrong if you don't know who it is,” Selky said. “But if she's walking in my house, I still wouldn't shoot her."
"It shouldn't have happened,” Stephanie Spencer, a Boone County resident, said. “You know, don't shoot first, ask questions later. You know, answer the door, see who they are, see if they have the wrong house. Don't just take it upon yourself to shoot some innocent person."
Police have not released the name of the victim or said whether charges will be filed against the homeowner. They say they are working closely with the prosecutor's office.
