Lafayette murder suspect placed on 72-hour hold

 TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – The man accused of shooting and killing a Lafayette elementary school art teacher Wednesday night is not formally charged with the crime, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be.

Before filing formal charges, prosecutors have asked for a 72-hour hold on 19-year-old Darius Printup in connection with 52-year-old Kristi Redmon’s death.

The probable cause affidavit  doesn’t give a name, but it states a witness is what led them to Printup’s arrest.

But there’s still a lot of questions, and that is likely why prosecutors are asking for more time on the case. Meanwhile, neighbors would like some answers.

Even on a beautiful day, Eileen Hancock’s routine walk around the neighborhood is less enjoyable after a fatal shooting last week.

“It’s hard not to think about it,” Hancock said.

She passes the house where Redmon was killed on her front porch, and Hancock wonders why?

“I heard she was a wonderful person, and a good teacher, and the kids loved her,” she said.

Police suspect Printup did it, but they don’t have the whole story just yet.

“We’ve got to find the motive still,” said Sgt. Scott Galloway, with the Lafayette Police Department.

A witness told police Printup was looking for a man who “ripped him off,” when he shot Redmon. The court document doesn’t cite a drug deal specifically, but that’s what makes sense to Hancock.

“Well, it happens all over,” she said.

Court documents only cite one witness, but police said they have several sources.

“I don’t think just one person gave us the information,” he said. “It was a lot of interviews, a lot of time.”

But not enough for prosecutors to officially charge Printup, just yet. Whether the county charges Printup or not, Hancock hopes police can stop this type of crime from happening in her neighborhood again.

“I just hope that they can do something about this, and figure out a way to keep these kids on a straight and narrow path,” Hancock said.

Nevertheless, Hancock continues down her path but not without caution.

“I usually look out the curtain to see who is there before I answer the door,” she said.

A woman who said she’ is Printup’s stepmother said she can’t imagine he could be capable of murder. She hopes people will wait for the court system to run its course before deciding whether he is guilty.

Prosecutors have until Wednesday at 2 p.m. to file formal charges.