WILLIAMS – An Indianapolis man was arrested at Williams Dam in Lawrence County on Monday evening after a conservation officer heard gunshots and investigated. Van Kio, 20, is facing multiple charges, including criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and possession of a stolen firearm, a Level 5 felony.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Indiana Conservation Officer Ryan T. Jahn, he was on patrol at Williams Dam around 7:30 p.m. when he heard three rounds being fired from a gun along the river. At the time, Officer Jahn was speaking with a family, including two children, at the lower boat ramp. Upon hearing the first shot, the family reportedly ran to their vehicle in fear. Two more gunshots followed.
Officer Jahn moved up the parking lot and walked to the river’s edge, where he observed three Asian males. One of the individuals, later identified as Van Kio, was holding a pistol magazine. Officer Jahn approached them, commanded them to keep their hands in the air, and asked about the firearm. Kio stated it was in his pocket.
Officer Jahn retrieved a Taurus 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine from Kio’s right leg pocket, along with another loaded pistol magazine from his left leg pocket. Kio admitted to firing all three rounds at a glass bottle on the edge of the river, and Officer Jahn observed where the bottle had shattered into the water.
At the time of the incident, two other males were fishing approximately 50 yards upriver. Although no one was directly across the river in the line of fire, Officer Jahn noted that people commonly camp and fish in that direction. Both sides of the river at Williams Dam are designated DNR public access property, and signs are posted prohibiting the discharge of firearms.
Further investigation revealed that the Taurus G3C 9×19 pistol was returned as stolen in Indianapolis. When questioned about the gun, Kio claimed his uncle gave it to him on his 18th birthday, providing only a nickname for the uncle and stating he was returning to Burma.
Kio was arrested, handcuffed, and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for booking. He reportedly cooperated with authorities and expressed an apology. Kio also received citations for shooting into or across a public waterway, a Class C misdemeanor, shooting where prohibited, a Class C infraction, and failure to possess a resident fishing license, a Class C infraction. The other individuals with Kio also received fishing violation tickets.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
