MIAMI COUNTY — An 18-year-old man charged in connection with the death of a high school student in Miami County told detectives he thought the gun was unloaded when he pulled the trigger, according to a court document.
About 10 minutes before 18-year-old Hanna Cox, of Bunker Hill, was fatally shot, she and Jeremiah Smith were sitting in Hanna's car, FaceTimeing with one of their mothers and "laughing and joking around," according to a probable cause affidavit. Cox was a senior at Maconaquah High School.
Smith told detectives Cox came to his house in the afternoon of Feb. 24 in a neighborhood near Grissom Air Reserve Base to return his headphones, according to the affidavit. He got in her car and was trying to fix a gun he said wasn't working.
Smith said he removed the magazine and thought the gun was unloaded, according to the affidavit. But when he pointed the gun at Cox, said "it didn't work" and pulled the trigger, Cox was struck.
A nurse who lives nearby where Cox was shot had just gotten home from work when someone came to the house to tell them Cox was shot, according to the affidavit. Unable to locate a pulse, the nurse started CPR before first responders were able to take over.
While officers were talking with people at the scene, two Black males and a Black female exited a residence with their hands up, according to the affidavit.
PREVIOUS | ISP: Man arrested in fatal shooting of 18-year-old Maconaquah HS student
Smith was charged Monday by prosecutors with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and pointing a firearm, according to online court records. An initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Public visitation for Cox's funeral will be held from noon to 3 p.m., followed by a service starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Fuel Church, 2021 E. Markland Ave. in Kokomo, according to her obituary.
She will be buried at Springdale Cemetery in Bunker Hill.
-
Gov. Braun extends gas tax suspension as Indiana hits cheapest gas in America
Governor Mike Braun announced Thursday he is extending his suspension of Indiana's gas taxes for an additional 30 days, as data shows Indiana has cheapest gas in the country.
Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell named All-Star starters
The Fever's star trio of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell have all been named WNBA All-Star starters.
ATF offering $5,000 reward for information in deadly shooting of Eric Butler
Federal investigators are offering a cash reward for information in the east side shooting death of Eric D. Butler, known to many as Indianapolis rapper “Lil E.”
Chip Ganassi releases statement as Scott Dixon informs CGR he is leaving
Scott Dixon has officially informed Chip Ganassi Racing he is leaving the team after the 2026 season. Dixon has been with CGR since 2002.
