Robbie L. Perez
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The suspect in the shooting of a 3-year-old child and his father in Hope on June 1 has been charged in Bartholomew Circuit Court with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery, according to a joint news release from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and the county prosecutor’s office.
According to sheriff department spokesman Sgt. Dane Duke, Robbie Perez, 35, Homer, an unincorporated town in Rush County, is being held without bond on the charges. He is still being treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chin at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, and a Bartholomew County corrections officer is stationed at the hospital while he is there, according to Sheriff Chris Lane.
Sheriff deputies were called to the 300 block of Elm Street in Hope at 11:25 p.m. June 1 on a report of a shooting.
George Perez Jr., 36, who lives at the residence, and his 3-year-old son Kingston, suffered gunshot wounds in the incident and were transported to Indianapolis area hospitals by Lifeline. George Perez Jr. was treated and released, however his son remains hospitalized in what has been described by his father as critical, but stable condition at Riley Hospital for Children.
Investigators believe Robbie Perez went to the home and stood on the porch, firing shots inside the home and hitting the two individuals, according to previous interviews.
At 10:49 a.m. June 2, deputies were told that Robbie Perez’ silver Chevrolet HHR was westbound on East King Street near I-65 in Johnson County. Franklin police located the vehicle and attempted to stop it, Duke said.
A vehicle pursuit ensued during which Robbie Perez was taken into custody. Robbie Perez was found to be suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the end of the pursuit. He was transported to Eskenazi Hospital for evaluation/treatment. The vehicle was processed by crime scene technicians during which a firearm was located inside the vehicle.
The investigation has revealed that the family dispute which culminated in the shooting centered around a long term feud between the two Perez brothers.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
