TO UPDATE: On Wednesday, IMPD announced the arrest of 31-year-old Zechari Scott in connection with the case.
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IRVINGTON, Ind. – For two months, an Irvington family say they have been living in constant fear after shots were fired at their home five times.
“Our lives were torn apart by this. It touched us endlessly,” owner Lance Huffman said.
According to Huffman, the first time someone shot at the house, a bullet went through the front window and hit the living room. Her one-year-old daughter was on the other side of the wall, where the bullet landed.
Huffman said he assumed it was a stray bullet or an accidental shot, but realized that was not the case when his house was shot for the second time, bullets landing between her daughters’ bedrooms.
“It was really sad. You know, we took them to school one day and the house was shot again. We picked them up and they didn’t go back home,” Huffman said. was after the second shooting, we were out.”
Since then, the house has been shot three times. WISP records show the third incident occurred on Labor Day mid-afternoon. According to the family, the fourth incident occurred on the night of late September, and the most recent on Sunday evening.
“If someone was here, I think we would have a – someone would be dead,” Huffman said.
Several of the incidents were captured by home surveillance, including the last Sunday evening. In these videos, a white car is seen stopping before shots are fired. The vehicle then accelerates toward E. 16th Street.
“We always feel threatened. We have nowhere to go, so there really isn’t a safe place,” Huffman said.
The damage from the recent shooting is evident throughout the house. The windows are shattered by bullets, which then went through several rooms at the back of the house.
“Too many bullets. Absolutely awful,” Huffman said.
In addition to bullet holes in doors, windows and walls, a bullet was also found lodged in a bag of children’s toys. It was one of the only items left in the house after the family was forced to flee for safety.
“It’s a pretty heartbreaking image. It’s a box of our baby’s toys with a ball in it,” Huffman said.
While Huffman said his family was not home during the most recent incident, he said watching it on surveillance video was an image almost too much to digest. He shared that the incidents were traumatic for his entire family, including his young children.
“It was made to kill. Last night it was attempted murder, that’s all I know,” he said. “We try not to watch it because it hurts every time. It really is. This is the place we loved, we absolutely loved this house. We didn’t want to leave.
Huffman said it was the charm of the home, including its original details like the kitchen that has remained the same since its first owners, that attracted her family six years ago. He said he imagined his three daughters growing up here and never imagined they would need to leave for the reasons they now face.
“We had planned to give them this when they were older because it’s a great place, but those feelings went away. It’s a nightmare house now,” he said.
Huffman said the incident left not only her family in fear, but also her neighbors. After one of the previous incidents, residents told CBS4 they were terrified for their families and others who have young children living in the neighborhood.
“You don’t like seeing them get caught. Nobody should have to put up with that,” Huffman said.
He shared that he was grateful to his community and neighbors, including many who rallied around and offered to help the family move forward.
“You’re just waiting for something to happen, waiting for something to be fixed; waiting for them to catch this guy or make an arrest or something,” Huffman said.
He estimates around 35 to 40 shots were fired at his home throughout the incidents, and said it was the most extensive damage to date. With the holidays approaching, Huffman said all he wants is for the person responsible to be held accountable for their actions.
WISP Eastern District Commander Richard Riddle issued the following statement:
“The heart of all criminal investigations comes down to eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, none of which is readily available in this case. Our firearms detectives have worked multiple leads and interviewed a number of people connected to this case. Although we have a suspect vehicle, we have no eyewitness or physical evidence to link a specific person to these shootings. While I understand the Huffman family’s frustration, we need to ensure the proper investigative steps are taken to develop probable cause to make an arrest.
Eastern District Commander Richard Riddle
Riddle urged anyone with information to call 317-327-3811. You can also contact Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477).
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