Felony charges filed against man accused of Texas Roadhouse killing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – The man accused of shooting and killing a man in the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse earlier this week has been formally charged.

29-year-old Andrew Cassaday was charged Thursday with felony murder and felony carrying a handgun with a prior felony conviction.

Investigators said Cassaday shot and killed 28-year-old Jeffrey Lute Sunday night at the restaurant chain on West Washington Center Road.

Someone with Lute said he and several men were part of the Steel Horse Rebels bike gang. According to a friend, Lute was apart of the group at one point, but not when it was a gang. The friend told 24-Hour News 8’s sister station, WANE, that he and Lute broke ties with the group after it changed from a charitable organization to a gang.

Outside of the restaurant a physical altercation started between the men. Sources said Lute eventually pulled out his gun after repeatedly asking the men to leave. Lute then shot a man in the leg and took off running around the restaurant.

Cassaday then went and retrieved a weapon, shooting and killing Lute.

Friends told WANE that the biker group repeatedly targeted Lute.

Home surveillance video of someone slashing Lute’s tires was released exclusively to WANE. The video does not show the person’s face but Lute’s friend said the person in the video is Cassaday. He claims police have a better tape that clearly shows his face.

Cassaday has faced several criminal cases in Allen County, including drug possession, false informing and dealing marijuana, according to court records. Corrections records show he served a year for marijuana possession in 2009.

It’s unknown when Cassaday will next appear in court.