MITCHELL — A Mitchell resident is facing a felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing a pellet gun through the shared wall of his apartment, striking his neighbor.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation following a call late on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Deputy C. Pruett, he responded to a reported gunshot call at approximately 9:47 p.m. at an apartment complex on Gun Club Road. The reporting party and alleged victim, told dispatch that his neighbor identified as Joshua C. Hill, 52, had shot a pellet gun through their shared wall.
The victim stated that a pellet struck him in the arm, causing it to bleed. Deputy Pruett observed two small holes in the front room wall of the victim’s apartment, directly above his bed, along with drywall dust covering the bedding. The holes were “bulged outward,” suggesting something had passed out of the wall toward the room.
The victim told the deputy he was standing near his bed when he heard two loud “pops” and then realized his arm was bleeding. He was instructed to see an ambulance for evaluation of his injury.
While speaking with the victim in the ambulance, the victim revealed that he and Hill have a history of issues, including a prior physical altercation where Hill allegedly struck him with a magnet, and the victim told police he retaliated by striking Hill with a bat.
Deputy Pruett and assisting Indiana State Troopers then proceeded to Hill’s apartment. When confronted, Hill denied the allegations, claiming the victim must have put the holes in the wall and injured his arm himself.
Hill admitted to owning an airsoft rifle but claimed he did not have any pellets.
Upon entering Hill’s apartment with consent, Deputy Pruett observed a hole in the wall in the same general area as the holes in the victim’s apartment. When asked about this, Hill claimed he caused it while moving furniture. However, a female who also resides in the apartment, contradicted him, stating the hole was present before they moved in. Both occupants provided conflicting stories about the hole’s origin multiple times.
Hill showed the deputy where the airsoft rifle was kept, propped against a wall in a bedroom.
The investigation led back the victim’s apartment, where a crucial piece of evidence was discovered.
Officers located a gray, disfigured pellet on the floor at the foot of the victim’s bed. The pellet was photographed and collected as evidence. A second pellet could not be located.
Based on the damage observed in both apartments, the injury to the victim, the recovered pellet, and the conflicting statements from Hill and his roommate. Deputy Pruett concluded he had probable cause to believe Hill committed the offense of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and a warrant was requested for Hill’s arrest. He was detained on December 12.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
