Shot fired at gas station clerk early Sunday morning
An employee of the Marathon gas station in the 600 block of E 10th Street of Bloomington was closing up his store for the night when a group of five individuals walked in, refusing to leave, according to reports. 3 of them stole snack foods and ran to their vehicle, taking off when the clerk followed them out. According to the clerk, the two remaining males then began arguing with him in the parking lot and one of the males then kicked him in his back. The other male involved then allegedly produced a handgun and reportedly struck the victim in the head with the weapon. The involved males then began to run to the north, but the suspect with the handgun reportedly, then turned toward the victim and fired one round at him from the gun before running off to the north.
A Deputy from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle occupied by five individuals a short time later near the Speedway gas station in the 3000 block of E 3rd Street and all occupants were detained for questioning. Officers searched the vehicle and located a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun with an extended magazine under a seat. All four arrested individuals were transported to the Monroe County Jail and remanded to jail custody.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with further information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Kevin Frank at (812) 339-4477.
Preliminary charges are:
- Allison L. Edwards, Jr., 24, of Indianapolis, has been arrested and preliminarily charged with Attempted Murder, level 1 felony; Battery with a Deadly Weapon, level 5 felony; and, Carrying of Handgun without a License by a Convicted Felon, level 5 felony.
- Ceon A. White, 22, of Bloomington, has been arrested and preliminarily charged with Battery, A misdemeanor.
- Chemari Thomas, 20, of Indianapolis, has been arrested and preliminarily charged with Theft, A misdemeanor.
- Iyanna R. Donaldson, 23, of Indianapolis, has been arrested and preliminarily charged with Theft, A misdemeanor.
*** All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Booker pleads not guilty in 2020 case
Former Bloomington resident Vauhxx Booker appeared virtually before Johnson County Superior Court Judge Lance Hamner to plead not guilty to charges of trespassing and batter. Booker was involved in an incident over July 4th weekend 2020 in which he accused a group of individuals of constraining him and calling for a noose. Booker took his story to the police and the media, and the narrative was carried internationally, following a spring of racial outrage.
After months of investigation, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources determined that there was no mentions of a “noose” and recommended charges against Booker, in addition to Sean Purdy and Jerry Cox.
Judge Hamner also accepted Booker’s request for Public Defender. Bloomington-based attorney Kitty Liell, who had been representing Booker, withdrew from the case, reportedly due to the potential cost for a defense.
Hamilton County Government shuts down Goat Yoga
What is Goat Yoga, you ask? It’s Yoga surrounded by goats.
The website of Indiana’s only Goat Yoga Classes describes it as. “roughly 45 minutes of beginner friendly yoga while little goats join you! Not only do you get the physical and mental benefits of yoga but also from adorable, friendly goats here to make you laugh and smile. The last 15 minutes are yours to take pictures, ask questions, and hang out with the goats.”
Regardless of your initial thoughts, the Hamilton County Planning Commission claims the Happy Goat Luck Yoga program in Noblesville is in violation of the property zoning laws. Apparently, the farm is allowed to maintain goats, but they are not allowed to offer outdoor yoga classes in the goat pasture. The Hamilton County Board of Zoning Appeals backed up the Planning Department by rejecting the property owner’s appeal, by a vote of 4-1.
The instructors have found a government accepted location for their final session of the year.
ACES Serve a Pair of Warrants and find a House with Illegal Drugs
Yesterday morning the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. were notified by Bedford Police Department officers of the whereabouts of two wanted Lawrence County residents. BPD had information that 24 year-old Owen Watson and 23 year-old Sydney Thompson were both wanted on failure to appear warrants. In addition, they knew that the pair were living in the 200 block of Fayetteville-Owen Road. As Police walked toward the residence, they observed Watson walk across in front of a window. The troopers knocked and made continued loud announcements of their presence, but no one answered the door. In order to ensure the safety of themselves, the suspects, and the large aggressive dogs at the residence, there was no forced entry, and instead, they waited 2 hours for Thompson to exit the residence. As Police began to enter the now open door, Watson also announced he would surrender.
During a search prior to transport to the jail, Watson was discovered to be in possession of a cut straw that contained heroin residue. Troopers applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant, several baggies containing heroin residue, an additional baggie with over 2 grams of heroin, hypodermic syringes, digital scales, marijuana, and paraphernalia. Both Owen Watson and Sydney Thompson were arrested on their respective outstanding warrants and also, several new charges. They were incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail.
*** All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This Week in Hoosier History
1912 – Indianapolis artist Christian Schrader hosted an exhibit of his drawings. Born in 1840, he had a keen memory of what he had seen growing up in the early capital city. His sketches offer a unique and important view of some of the city’s original buildings, along with the rutted, muddy streets, and simple wooden fences that defined life within the original mile square.