Thanksgiving Morning Shooting in Southern Indiana Leaves 26-Year-Old Man Dead; Suspect Arrested After Overnight Investigation
PEKIN, INDIANA — A 26-year-old southern Indiana man was shot and killed early Thanksgiving morning, leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect following an overnight investigation by state and county authorities. The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Bush Road, a rural area just outside Pekin.
Victim Found With Gunshot Wound and Later Pronounced Dead at Salem Hospital
According to investigators, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department were called to the 9000 block of Bush Road for reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Juan Gutierrez, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Gutierrez was transported to a hospital in Salem, Indiana, where he was pronounced dead despite medical efforts. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Search Warrant Leads to Evidence and Arrest of Local Suspect
Indiana State Police said investigators quickly secured a search warrant, allowing detectives to collect evidence and interview witnesses connected to the early-morning incident. After gathering sufficient information, officers arrested Phillip Hawkins, 22, of Pekin.
Hawkins is charged with reckless homicide and has been booked into the Washington County Jail. Police have not yet disclosed a potential motive or whether the victim and suspect were acquainted.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence and speaking with individuals familiar with the case.
Authorities Urge Community Cooperation as Case Develops
State police and county investigators are encouraging anyone with additional details to come forward as they work to determine what happened in the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. Further updates will be released as new information becomes available.
As southern Indiana residents process the tragedy, authorities continue piecing together the events behind the Thanksgiving morning shooting. For ongoing updates on major regional cases, public safety alerts, and breaking Midwest crime coverage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.