UPDATE: An Evansville man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of an apartment complex during the early morning hours on Wednesday.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at approximately 1:20 a.m. Wednesday to the 300 block of Norma Drive after receiving a report of multiple gunshots. Michael Dortch, 20, of Evansville was identified as being involved in the incident and was taken into custody Wednesday.
As the investigation continued, detectives developed additional suspect information identifying Krisshaun Saunders, 26, of Evansville as another individual involved in the shooting.
During the course of the investigation, detectives located a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident at a nearby residence. The vehicle, a white Jeep Renegade matching witness descriptions, was observed with damage consistent with the shooting, including a bullet hole in the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was secured and towed pending further investigation and the execution of a search warrant.
Detectives also contacted the vehicle’s registered owner, who provided information about the events leading up to the shooting. Investigators determined that an argument between Saunders and Dortch escalated in a parking lot, during which both individuals were armed.
Saunders was later located and transported to the Operations Center, where he was interviewed by detectives. During the interview, Saunders admitted to his involvement in the confrontation and to discharging a firearm in the direction of Dortch. He further acknowledged that multiple individuals were in the vicinity at the time, creating a significant risk of serious injury or death.
Saunders was taken into custody and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. This incident remains under investigation.
He has been charged with attempted murder and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Dortch was charged with two counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, two counts of criminal mischief and possession of a stolen firearm.
PREVIOUS:
An Evansville man is accused of firing off shots in an apartment complex parking lot.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Norma Drive in the Golden Tower apartment complex at about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of shots fired.
Deputies spoke with a resident who reported hearing four gunshots. The witness stated that, when he looked out his window, he saw a man wearing a black hoodie and pajama pants looking around on the ground near the parking lot before walking off between the apartment buildings.
Deputies located four spent shell casings in the parking lot, as well as two vehicles that had sustained bullet damage.
The witness positively identified a man who deputies located in the immediate area as the same man the witness saw outside his window after hearing gunshots. The suspect was later identified as Michael Lee Dortch, 20, of Evansville.
Dortch initially denied any involvement before admitting to firing the weapon. Dortch stated he had been followed home by an acquaintance with whom he had had an ongoing dispute due to a prior relationship with the acquaintance’s girlfriend.
Dortch told investigators that upon arriving home, he and his girlfriend exited her vehicle and he and the acquaintance began arguing. Dortch stated he went up to his apartment and retrieved a firearm, a 9mm handgun, before returning to the parking lot to confront the person.
He stated he approached the passenger side of a vehicle occupied by the acquaintance, at which point the two began arguing again. Dortch reported that the acquaintance produced a firearm and began shooting at him. Dortch stated he ran behind several parked vehicles and returned fire. He further stated the acquaintance and an unidentified female then fled southbound through the apartment complex.
When questioned about the location of his firearm, Dortch stated he had placed it under a loveseat inside his apartment. After a search warrant was obtained and signed, deputies and detectives searched the apartment, locating a 9mm handgun under the loveseat. The firearm contained rounds in both the magazine and the chamber.
A serial number check through the National Crime Information Center revealed the firearm had been reported stolen to the Evansville Police in 2024.
Dortch was charged with two counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, two counts of criminal mischief and possession of a stolen firearm.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office at https://vanderburghsheriff.org/tip-submit/or by calling (812) 421-6297.
Comments