JUST IN: EPD UPDATE ON VFW SHOOTING

At 7:07pm on Sunday, Evansville Police were called to the VFW Post at 110 N Wabash for a report of a person with a gun. While officers were responding, the incident was upgraded to a call of shots fired. 

The first officer arrived and heard at least one gun shot being fired from inside the building. There were numerous people fleeing the building from multiple exits. Many were yelling that there was a shooter in the building. Because it was BINGO night, there were hundreds of people in the building when the shooting happened. 

The first officer on scene notified dispatch that this was an active shooter and then he immediately entered the building. Once he entered, he was directed towards several men who were on the ground. The officer was able to quickly determine that the shooter was being held down by several bystanders. The officer was able to get one handcuff on, but not the second. Additional officers arrived and after a struggle, the suspect was taken into custody. 

Officers were then told of a shooting victim in another room. Officers found Paul Glover (48) with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers began rendering aide and medical crews were called into the building to treat Glover. Glover underwent surgery and is expected to survive. 

The suspect has been identified as 70 year old JOHN MICHAEL BURGHARDT.  Burghardt was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Physical force was used on Burghardt during this incident, but he was not shot. He is under police guard until he is released and processed into the Vanderburgh County Jail. 

Based on statements from several witnesses, police believe the shooting incident stemmed from an earlier verbal altercation between Burghardt and another member of the VFW Post. Burghardt was told to leave the building after threatening to shoot the other man. 

Burghardt was spotted outside the back door after being told to leave and was confronted by a VFW member. Burghardt pointed a revolver at the man and told him to back off. The man fled and Burghardt then approached the back door of the building. It was there that he was confronted by Paul Glover. Glover was armed with a handgun and told Burghardt he was not coming into the building. Burghardt fired one shot, striking Glover in the abdomen. Two people were able to pull the door shut, preventing Burghardt from entering the building. Burghardt pulled the trigger at least once while being shut out, but the gun failed to fire. 

While 911 was being called, Burghardt went to the front of the building and entered through the front door, where he was confronted by Robin Simpson. Fearing she would be shot, Simpson grabbed a grill scraper and pushed Burghardt back. Burghardt pulled the trigger, but the gun failed to fire. He pulled the trigger again and the gun fired, but the bullet missed Simpson. Paul Ellington then tackled Burghardt and several others helped disarm and hold Burghardt down until officers arrived.  

A crime scene technician examined the revolver Burghardt used in the shooting. There were two unfired rounds in the weapon, but their primers had been struck. Which indicates the firing pin hit the casing, but failed to fire a bullet. 

Police believe Burghardt was targeting a specific person, but fired upon anyone who tried to stop him. The actions by Paul Glover, Robin Simpson, Paul Ellington and the others who put themselves in harm’s way to keep him from entering was heroic. 

The first officer on scene was Sgt. William Arbaugh. He joined the EPD in March of 2010 and was recently promoted to Sergeant in November of 2018. Sgt. Arbaugh’s decision to immediately enter the building is a testament to his bravery. It also reinforces the importance of the Evansville Police Department’s ongoing, high quality training on active shooter response.

Upon his release, Burghardt will be 3 counts of Attempted Murder with a Firearm, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, and Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon. 

Incident timeline- (military time)

1907:45    911 call for person with a gun

1908:42    Call routed to EPD dispatch

1909:12    Officers dispatched

1909:45    911 caller heard gun shot

1911:52    First officer arrived

1912:10    Officer heard gunshot 

1912:26    Officer entered the building to locate the shooter

1912         Officer finds two men holding shooter down

1912         Two more officers arrives and assist in arresting the shooter

1913:26    Victim is found and officers begin medical treatment

1914:20    Shooter in officially in custody      

1914:25    Medical crews requested to treat the victim

During the course of this incident and investigation, numerous witness were interviewed. Anyone who witnessed any portion of the incident and has not spoken to police is asked to call EPD at 812-436-7979.