Kokomo police are investigating a grim scene at a West Lincoln Road apartment where a 21-year-old woman was killed and an infant was wounded in a shooting yesterday. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found the woman inside the unit and a baby with a gunshot injury to the hand. The child was rushed to local hospitals and is listed in stable condition. A man was taken into custody at the scene, and detectives say they are still gathering evidence and talking with witnesses.
According to a Facebook post by the Kokomo Police Department, officers were dispatched to 419 W. Lincoln Rd on Tuesday, where they found 21-year-old Jessica M. Tomlinson on the floor with a gunshot wound to her upper torso. She later died from her injury. The post states that an infant inside the apartment suffered a gunshot wound to the hand and significant trauma, and was first transported to Community Howard Regional Health before being taken to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. The child is reported to be in stable condition. Police say Cameron Tomlinson was taken into custody and transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center on preliminary charges of reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, and criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony.
Investigation and witness outreach
Detectives “obtained and collected evidence from the scene” and conducted multiple interviews with the victim’s husband, neighbors and family, according to the department’s post. Investigators are asking anyone who may have information or video related to the shooting to contact the Kokomo Police Department at (765) 456-7017.
Charges and legal context
Under Indiana law, reckless homicide is prosecuted as a Level 5 felony, as outlined by Justia. Criminal recklessness is defined as conduct that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury and can be elevated to higher-level felonies in certain situations, such as when a deadly weapon is involved, according to FindLaw. These statutes frame the charges that prosecutors may pursue if formal filings are made.
