VCSO releases identity of Warrick Co. couple arrested following shooting at Quality Inn

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Business office claims a standoff happened at the High quality Inn on Elpers Highway.

It begun at 7 a.m. Saturday when law enforcement received a call reporting domestic violence at the Good quality Inn, which is found just off of Highway 41. Officers say this is a thing that is not uncommon for them.

“We do make a quantity of domestic violence operates throughout our working day, but we really don’t intend to walk up and get shot at by way of the door,” explained Vanderburgh Sheriff’s Place of work Major Jason Ashworth.

VCSO officers say when two sheriff’s deputies and a condition trooper went to the noted room and announced themselves, an individual shot at them as a result of the doorway. No a single was harm in the shooting, and that started off seven hours of negotiations in between police and the two persons who then barricaded themselves in their lodge space.

Law enforcement are conscious of the risk to innocent men and women in standoffs, but that risk is unique in a lodge.

“It’s unlucky for the reason that the predicament by itself is undesirable sufficient for the persons who are involved and definitely our deputies that show up, but now we have an overall resort building complete of individuals,” stated Ashworth.

Police evacuated the resort, waking some persons up to get them to security. Officers drove people’s automobiles out to them, aided them get their possessions, and coordinated with other nearby resorts if they experienced a extended-term keep.

Law enforcement applied a lot of various instruments during the standoff, which include canine, drones and armored automobiles.

“Fortunately we’d acquired the equipment and training in order to deal with these conditions,” reported Ashworth.

Police say negotiators instructed the two in the space they could move to a distinctive resort place, law enforcement then caught them in the hallway.

Police identified them as Richard Thomas Jr. and Christine Zeller.

VCSO releases identity of Warrick Co. couple arrested following shooting at Quality Inn — Richard Thomas Jr.(Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Business)

Thomas, 46, is experiencing at least an attempted murder cost. Police say Zeller claimed she was being held towards her will and she may not be billed at all, but they are nonetheless investigating.

Officials also say various handguns, ammunition and suspected methamphetamine have been recovered.

Law enforcement officials say they had been grateful to have the cooperation of the owners of the lodge. The standoff has remaining them with multiple ruined rooms.