EVANSVILLE – An Evansville man faces an attempted murder charge after police say he fired a shot at another male during an argument at a West Side apartment complex.
Krisshaun Bryant Saunders, 26, was booked into the Vanderburgh County jail Wednesday evening on one preliminary count of attempted murder and and another of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. During an interview with Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies, he reportedly admitted to “pulling out his own gun” and firing a shot at the man, who then returned fire multiple times, the probable cause affidavit against him states.
Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Norma Drive at the Golden Towers complex a little after 1 a.m. Wednesday. A 911 caller allegedly told dispatchers they’d heard at least four gunshots.
Deputies soon found 20-year-old Michael Lee Dortch, of Henderson, Kentucky. He reportedly admitted to opening fire with a handgun during an argument.
The affidavit states that he told police he’d been “followed” to the parking lot by two people in an SUV – one female, who was driving, and a male passenger. He knew the passenger as “Goggles” − a nickname a witness later said belonged to Saunders, investigators wrote.
Dortch said he and “Goggles” didn’t get along because they’d both dated the same person. When they pulled into the parking lot, Dortch said he got out of his car with his current significant other and started arguing with Saunders in front of both women, as well as another male “Goggles” and the woman he was with were dropping off.
“Dortch said he went inside his apartment to retrieve his firearm, a 9mm Taurus handgun, and then returned to the parking lot to confront ‘Goggles,'” the affidavit states.
Saunders reportedly stayed in the front seat of the vehicle he was in.
“Words were exchanged and ‘Goggles’ produced a handgun and shot at (Dortch),” the affidavit reads.
Dortch said he returned fire multiple times. He was later arrested and charged with two counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, among other charges, jail records state.
According to the affidavit, deputies eventually obtained cell phone video taken by a witness. It reportedly showed the third male approaching the vehicle containing Saunders and one of the women.
“There is a brief, angry exchange between Saunders and what sounds like several people out of view of the camera and with the unknown male,” the affidavit reads.
The other male is seen backing off and moving to the right. According to investigators, the video shows Saunders pointing a gun out the window and toward the left, where Dortch said he was standing.
“Saunders then fires one shot with what appears to be ill intent,” the affidavit states.
Several more shots can be heard. Investigators weren’t sure if they came from Dortch or Saunders.
Deputies later tracked Saunders to a residence on Chandler Avenue and took him in for questioning. During an interview, he reportedly confirmed he’d been in the argument and said Dortch had pulled up his shirt to a show a gun tucked in his waistband.
“Saunders said he responded by pulling out his own gun and fired (sic) a shot at Dortch intending to hit him,” the affidavit states. “He stated his weapon was a 9mm handgun. A 9mm handgun is fully capable of killing a human being.”
He reportedly admitted to firing more shots as the vehicle pulled away, all while other people were present.
Probable cause hearings for both Saunders and Dortch were set for 1 p.m. Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville man faces attempted murder charge after argument, gunfire
Reporting by Jon Webb, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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