COLUMBUS — A Seymour woman was hospitalized in Indianapolis following a Wednesday, March 5th, shooting that led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Columbus man.
Skyler Vera, 18, was taken into custody shortly after officers from the Columbus Police Department (CPD) responded to a report of gunfire in the 1900 block of Cottage Avenue around 3:40 p.m. The shooting occurred within the William M. Graves housing addition, a residential neighborhood just west of Central Avenue.
Upon arrival, first responders located an 18-year-old woman suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She was stabilized at the scene before being transported to an Indianapolis hospital for specialized care.
CPD detectives recovered a firearm at the scene and detained Vera without further incident. While a motive has not yet been established, investigators emphasized that the two individuals knew each other and described the shooting as an “isolated incident” with no ongoing threat to the public.
Vera was booked into the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of aggravated battery posing a substantial risk of death, a Level 3 felony, battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and pointing a firearm at another, a Level 6 felony.
His initial hearing is scheduled for today. The bond was set at $250,000, or 10 percent cash. His attorney, Daniel S. Vandivier, has requested a bond reduction hearing.
The CPD Detective Division is continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence collected from the Cottage Avenue residence.
The Columbus Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding the incident to contact their detective department at 812-376-2600. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the department’s website or local crime tip lines.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
