A Thursday evening confrontation near Patterson Street and Lafayette Avenue ended with two Lebanon teens in police custody after one allegedly pulled a gun and fired a single round into the air, according to Lebanon police. An officer was flagged down by a citizen who reported a verbal dispute with two unknown males and said a shot had been fired in their direction. One teen was later released to a parent at the scene, while the other was taken to a juvenile detention facility on preliminary charges. The call drew a multi-agency response that included the Boone County Sheriff's Office and WMPD.
According to a media release on the Lebanon Police Department's Facebook page, officers located and detained two juveniles after the pair ran southeast on foot. Police then conducted a consent search of a nearby residence, where they say a firearm was recovered. The department identified the suspects as males ages 16 and 17 and noted that officers initially found no firearms on either teen when they were first detained. One juvenile was released to the custody of a parent, while the second was transported to a juvenile detention facility on preliminary counts that include intimidation with a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm by a minor. The release, authored by Chief Chad Morgan and Assistant Chief Amy Dickerson, stated that parents were notified and emphasized that the suspects are presumed innocent pending court action.
Charges and legal context
The charges listed in the department’s release carry very different implications under Indiana law. Criminal recklessness, as defined in Indiana Code §35‑42‑2‑2, can be elevated when a deadly weapon is involved, which is why the firearm allegation matters so much here. Dangerous possession of a firearm by a child is covered under separate state statutes and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or, under certain circumstances, as a felony; see Indiana's dangerous-possession provisions for specifics. Prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to file formal charges after reviewing the case through the juvenile system.
Investigation and next steps
Lebanon police said a Boone County deputy later spotted two people matching the suspects’ descriptions at the Marathon gas station on South Street. Both juveniles were taken to the Lebanon Police Department for further questioning and processing, according to the department’s post. Officials continue to stress that the teens are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that the investigation remains active. Police reported no injuries stemming from the incident and have not announced any formal arraignment dates. Investigators said parents were notified and that the case will proceed through juvenile court channels as appropriate.
Why it matters
Firing a gun into the air might look dramatic in the movies, but real life is a lot less forgiving. A retrospective analysis in the medical literature shows that falling bullets can reach terminal velocities capable of causing serious injury or death, especially to bystanders and children who have no idea a shot was ever fired. While Lebanon police did not report any injuries in this case, the recovered firearm and preliminary charges highlight how fast a neighborhood argument can turn into a criminal investigation. The department's written statement and the embedded post contain further details as authorities continue to sort out exactly what happened and what, if anything, will be filed in court.
