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. 

We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE that Bill Schirmer, President and CEO of Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, was recently honored by the Indiana Credit Union League as its Professional Achievement Award winner?  …we congratulate Mr. Schirmer for his receiving this prestiges award?

IS IT TRUE we are told that a couple of local taxpayers are considering asking the city to start a $250 million dollars “GO FUND ME” account to help some struggling Eastside, Westside, Northside and Center City businesses to help them make needed improvements to their properties, sidewalks and streets in order for them to attract new customers? …they feel whats good for Downtown and North Main Street properties owners should be good enough for the business owners of other areas of the city?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Thunderbolts have gotten nearly halfway through the season and are sitting in last place in the league they play in?…after 28 games the Thunderbolts have won exactly 4 games for a record of 4-24?…the crowd at the Saturday night loss to Peoria by a score of 6-1 was estimated to be nearly 2,000 hockey fans but pictures taken in the Ford Center and posted on a recent Facebook page make it looK like it was way less than 1,000 fans and that is being generous? …we wonder why the main stream media aren’t challenging the Thunderbolts attendance figures put out by the officials at the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE it’s a known fact that the taxpayers of Evansville tax dollars are being used to subsidized the Thunderbolts Hockey team?  …the taxpayers have a right to see the Evansville Thunderbolts financial performance numbers for the season so far?

AGENDA

Agenda Attachment:

Memo Attachment:

A.	NOMINATION & ELECTION OF OFFICERS

B.	COMMITTEE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS

C.	LIAISON APPOINTMENTS

A.

ORDINANCE R-2019-01 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 224 Mulberry Street Petitioner: Caron Leader & George Boren Owner: Caron Leader & George Boren Requested Change: R3 to CO1 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Julie Bellamy

R-2019-01 Attachment:

A.	ORDINANCE F-2018-24 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing  Repeals and Re-Appropriations Within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver 1/14/2019

F-2018-24 Attachment:

B.

RESOLUTION C-2018-43 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Ratifying, Confirming, Authorizing and Approving an Agreement Between the City of Evansville and International Association of Firefighters Evansville Local No. 357 Inc. January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021 Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver 1/14/2019

C-2018-43 Attachment:

A.	THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, January, 28, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.

B.	2019 YOUTH GRANT APPLICATIONS are available online at www.evansville.in.gov/youthgrants or during regular office hours in the City Clerk’s Office in Room 314 of the Civic Center.  Application deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 15, 2019.

C.	BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

D.	ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS