Indiana homeowner may face charges after fatal shooting of cleaner at wrong address

Indiana homeowner may face charges after fatal shooting of cleaner at wrong address

Indiana authorities are reviewing whether to file criminal charges against a homeowner who fatally shot a house cleaner after she mistakenly arrived at the wrong address in Whitestown, a suburb of Indianapolis. The victim, 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez, was found dead in her husband's arms on the front porch shortly before 07:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Wednesday, police confirmed.

Incident details and police response

Law enforcement responded to reports of a possible home invasion at the residence, where they discovered Perez outside the home. Investigators noted that neither Perez nor her husband had entered the property before the shooting. The Boone County Prosecutor's Office is now examining the case to determine if charges will be pursued, though authorities have not publicly identified the homeowner or the shooter.

In a Friday statement, police described the case as "complex, delicate, and evolving," cautioning against premature speculation. They also warned of "concerning misinformation" circulating online and urged patience as the investigation continues.

Family demands justice

Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a mother of four originally from Guatemala, was remembered by her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, in an interview with CBS affiliate WTTV. Velazquez recounted the moment the bullet struck his wife, emphasizing that the homeowner should have contacted authorities before resorting to gunfire.

"They should've called the police first instead of just shooting out of nowhere like that," Velazquez said through an interpreter.

Legal complexities under Indiana's stand-your-ground law

Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood told The Indianapolis Star that the case presents legal challenges due to Indiana's stand-your-ground statute. Such laws, enacted in many U.S. states, generally allow individuals to use deadly force in self-defense if they reasonably believe they face imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.

The prosecutor's office will weigh whether the homeowner's actions were justified under the law or if charges-such as manslaughter or murder-are warranted.

Recent precedents in wrong-address shootings

This incident echoes several high-profile cases in recent years where individuals were shot after unintentionally approaching the wrong property. In 2023, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot twice after ringing the doorbell of the wrong home in Missouri; the shooter, Andrew Lester, pleaded guilty but died before sentencing. Similarly, in New York, 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis was fatally shot after entering the wrong driveway, leading to a 25-year prison sentence for the homeowner responsible.

Community and legal reactions

The case has reignited debates over stand-your-ground laws and the use of lethal force in perceived self-defense scenarios. Advocacy groups and legal experts are closely watching the prosecutor's decision, which could set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in Indiana and beyond.