Indiana Homeowner Charged with Felony After Shooting and Killing House Cleaner
An Indiana homeowner, Curt Andersen, is facing a felony charge after shooting and killing a house cleaner, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, on his front porch earlier this month. According to police, Perez and her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, had mistakenly arrived at the property in Whitestown, about 20 miles outside of Indianapolis, thinking it was a different address. Neither of them entered the residence, police said.
The Boone County Prosecutor, Kent Eastwood, announced that Andersen is being charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony. Eastwood explained that the decision to bring charges was made after determining that the shooting did not meet the requirements for protection under Indiana’s “stand your ground law,” which allows individuals to use deadly force in situations where they believe it is necessary to prevent their own serious bodily injury.
Eastwood emphasized that the decision to charge Andersen should not be seen as a challenge to Indiana’s “stand your ground law” or a person’s right to self-defense. “Based upon the particular evidence and circumstances of this case, we have determined that Curt Andersen’s actions do not fall within the legal protections provided by the Indiana ‘stand your ground’ law,” he said.
Investigation and Reaction
Perez and her husband had arrived at the home as part of a cleaning crew, according to CBS affiliate WTTV. The couple has four children, and their attorney, Alex J. Limontes, said they were encouraged to see charges filed in connection with Perez’s “tragic and preventable death.” Limontes stated, “This is an important step towards accountability, truth, and justice. And it’s a step that Maria’s family deserves.”
Velazquez told WTTV that the gunshot came from inside the home and had been fired through the door. A bullet hole could be seen in the door in the shooting’s aftermath. “They should’ve called the police first instead of just shooting out of nowhere like that,” Velazquez said through an interpreter.
The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department said it was committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. The department is working closely with the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and has asked the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, as it can be harmful to those involved and the integrity of the investigation.
Stand Your Ground Law and Similar Incidents
Indiana is one of 31 states with a “stand your ground law,” but experts say that the circumstances surrounding its implementation must be reasonable. In 2023, a Black teenager in Missouri was shot and killed when he rang the wrong doorbell; the shooter later pleaded guilty. That same year, in upstate New York, a man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for shooting and killing a woman who inadvertently pulled into his rural driveway.
Charlie De Mar and Kerry Breen contributed to this report. For more information, visit Here
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