- On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at approximately 3:15 PM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fight in progress at 6050 Maggie Valley Drive. The 911 operator advised the responding sheriff’s deputies that there was an open phone line at the residence over which voices could be heard yelling for someone to put a gun down.
- Upon arrival deputies spoke to the residents and learned that the suspect, Mr. Justin Swart, had left the home just prior to their arrival. The victims (who are all family members) advised that Mr. Swart had been arguing about auto parts with a family member when he began tearing up the residence. Mr. Swart then went to his bedroom and armed himself with a handgun. Mr. Swart then reportedly began waving the gun around and walked to the front porch of the home where he discharged the handgun in front of the victims. Mr. Swart surrendered the weapon to a family member, but then grabbed one of the victims by the throat and began to strangle him. All of these events occurred within the view of a small child who lives at the residence.
Mr. Swart was located one street over and taken into custody without incident. He remains lodged at the Vandeburgh County Jail with no bond pending an initial appearance.
ARRESTED:
Justin Matthew Swart, 31, of Evansville. Criminal Recklessness with a Firearm as a Level 6 Felony, Battery – Domestic in the Presence of a Child <16 as a Level 6 Felony, Battery – Strangulation as a Level 6 Felony, Neglect of a Dependant as a Level 6 Felony.
