Evansville Man Shot While Trying To Rob His Marijuana Dealer On Wednesday morning

Police were called to the 2300 block of W Virginia around 3:30 Wednesday morning for a report of shots being fired. Officers arrived in the area and found 20 year old Tyler Flota. Flota had a gunshot wound to the leg. He was alert and provided information to the officers.

Flota told investigators that he and another man, 18 year old Chanze Merrick, had made arrangements to buy marijuana from a local drug dealer. Flota and Merrick both arrived at the prearranged location armed with handguns. They had agreed they would rob the drug dealer, thinking the drug robbery would not be reported to police. A car arrived and a juvenile met with them to conduct the transaction. A second person remained in the car.

Flota said he never displayed his gun, but grabbed the marijuana and took off running. Flota said as they ran away, 18 year old KYLE FRAVE L exited the car and shot at them.

Fravel and the juvenile returned to their car and drove around the area firing more shots at Flota and Merrick. Flota said he fired shots at the car at least once. Police recovered the gun used by Flota and found it had recently been reported stolen in Evansville.

Flota was injured during the incident and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life threatening.

Officers located Fravel and the juvenile at Fravel’s house at 1501 Irvington. Both were taken into custody without incident. The juvenile was charged with dealing marijuana and placed at the Youth Care Center.

Fravel was charged with battery with a firearm, possession of a weapon by a serious violent felon, and dealing marijuana.

Fravel is on probation for his role in an armed home invasion robbery in Vanderburgh County in December of 2015. In October of 2016, he was sentenced as an adult to 6 years in the Indiana Department of Correctio ns. He was released 8 days ago after serving just 1 year of his 6 year sentence.

Flota remains hospitalized. When he is released, he will face several charges related to this incident. Merrick remains at large.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call EPD or WeTip.For full details, view this message on the web.