A man is in jail after opening fire on a neighborhood street and pointing a rifle directly at a 12-year-old following an argument over an unpaid $100 debt, Evansville police say. Investigators say the confrontation escalated from a fistfight into gunfire, with one bullet entering an occupied home and two parked cars also struck.
According to 14 News, officers were dispatched to the area of East Olmstead Avenue and Stringtown Road after callers reported gunshots near a home in the 800 block of East Olmstead Avenue. Police said the dispute began when another man confronted Tavis Anderson over an unpaid $100 debt for moving assistance, and the argument turned physical in the home's front yard.
Residential security footage showed the two men exchanging punches before Anderson fell to the ground, the station reported. Witnesses identified Anderson as the person who fired multiple rounds toward the home before leaving the scene in his vehicle, according to police.
Child Walked Outside Moments Before Shots Rang Out
Police say a 12-year-old walked outside to retrieve food from a vehicle parked in front of the residence as the situation unraveled. The juvenile told investigators that Anderson pulled out what was described as an AR-style rifle and pointed it directly at the child before redirecting the weapon and firing multiple rounds toward the home, per the same account relayed to the station.
Surveillance video showed the 12-year-old duck and run back inside as the driver of the parked car fled the area, the report notes. No injuries were reported, but stray rounds caused significant property damage, police said.
Bullet Pierced Wall, Doorframe and Bathroom Door
Officers found seven shell casings in the roadway in front of the home. Investigators said a bullet entered an east-facing window of an occupied home in the 700 block of East Olmstead Avenue, traveling through a wall, doorframe and bathroom door. Two parked vehicles on the north side of the street were also hit by gunfire, according to the account given to 14 News.
Arrest Warrant Led to Jail Booking
Evansville Police Department investigators requested an arrest warrant for Anderson in connection with the shooting. He was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges including battery committed with a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, intimidation with a deadly weapon and four counts of criminal mischief, the station reported.
Anderson is being held on a $10,000 bond. Under Indiana law, criminal recklessness is classified as a Level 6 felony when it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon.
