LAFAYETTE, IN — Charles Stutz went to the Tate & Lyle plant on Lafayette’s north end on Aug. 7 to shoot employees “because they are all bad people, child molesters and pedophiles,” according to statements he told police after the shooting of a 26-year-old employee.
Prosecutors charged Stutz, 56, homeless in Lafayette, with 13 charges, including two of attempted murder, several of battery, intimidation, criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. Additionally, Stutz faces two sentence-enhancing charges of being a habitual offender and the use of a firearm.
Stutz entered the factory about 11:40 p.m. Aug. 7 and walked to an office where two men were sitting, according to prosecutors. He raised a shotgun loaded with birdshot and fired, wounding one of the two — a 26-year-old man — in the face, neck and hand, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The wounded man ran behind a desk and hid with the other man in the room, according to prosecutors. Stutz walked toward the men, reloading the shotgun and ordering them to stand up.
One of the men stood up, and Stutz’s shotgun malfunctioned as he tried to shoot the two men, according to the document.
The wounded man charged Stutz, pushing him out of the way and running for help. After the men’s escape, Stutz appeared to wander the factory looking for an exit, according to prosecutors.
Police found Stutz at a nearby fire station and arrested him.
He admitted to going to the business and shooting the man, officials said. He admitted he tried to shoot the two men, but the gun wouldn’t fire.
“(He) claimed he went to the business to shoot the employees because they are all bad people, child molesters and pedophiles,” according to prosecutors.
Stutz has at least four prior felony theft convictions, prosecutors said. Court records indicate he has two pending theft cases in Tippecanoe County.
Stutz remained incarcerated Wednesday without bond at the Tippecanoe County Jail, according to jail records.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Tate & Lyle shooting suspect faces 13 charges, including 2 of attempted murder
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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