Muncie fatal shooting marks third homicide in 5 days
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police in Muncie are investigating their third homicide case in just five days.
Officials say they responded to the 700 block of South Hackley Street around 1:30 a.m. for a shooting. Medics rushed 23-year-old Eddie Phillips to the hospital, where he later died. Investigators say a man at the scene admitted to police that he shot Phillips. The man was taken into custody. Police said based on the evidence, they’ll let the prosecutor’s office determine if charges should be filed.
On Tuesday, police were called to a stabbing on S. Vine Street in the early morning hours. The victim, 27-year-old William Stover-Laudermitt died as a result of his injuries. Jeremy Bisel, 37, was arrested for the stabbing. Police believe Bisel broke into the home. They said there was a struggle between him and Stover-Laudermitt in which Stover-Laudermitt was stabbed several times. Police said Stover-Laudermitt’s mother, who also lives in the home, was cut on her hands. Bisel was arrested and charged with murder.
The third fatal was reported on Saturday, when an Indianapolis man broke into a Muncie apartment. A resident in the apartment shot at one of the two suspects who attempted to break into the apartment. Trayon Turner of Indianapolis died from his injuries.
“It’s very emotionally and also physically exhausting for the officers and for the investigators, especially when you combine three together, ” said Sgt. Ryan Winningham, Muncie Police Department. “These aren’t just one day investigations that you know you submit to prosecutors, these are several days. They involve several resources.”
Back outside the home on Vine Street, Beverly Brand had just pulled up with hopes of getting in touch with Stover-Laurdermitt’s family. Brand said her aunt was killed in a shooting in the 1990s and wanted to lend her support to other victim’s families.
“I personally want to tell them people, I’ve been where you’re at. I know what it feels like and my heart hurts for them,” she said.
Brand is organizing a peace walk to bring awareness to the violence and encourage the community to come together. It’s Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Heekin Park in Muncie. She said it will begin with guest speakers, a prayer, then a march down several roads in the area including past the home Vine Street.
“That’s what my goal is, to stop (the violence),” she said. “Make it all go away.”
