34-year old Craig Jones was charged last week in Decatur Circuit/Superior Court involving allegations of attempted voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, and battery by means of deadly weapon. Alleged incidents occurred November 21st. Here is what was initially released on his arrest –
From the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department
St. Paul, IN- On November 21, 2021, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a
disturbance with shots fired at 303 E. Water Street in St. Paul, (Decatur County) Indiana.
As a result of the investigation, Adams Township Fire Chief Craig Jones was arrested
and charged with four counts alleging Criminal Recklessness with a Firearm, all Level 5
Felonies. As with all suspects, Craig Jones is considered innocent until proven guilty in a
court of law.
Agencies responding to the incident included: Decatur County Communications
Center, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, St. Paul Volunteer
Fire Department, Decatur County EMS, and Greensburg Fire department.
The following information is contained in the affadavit of probable cause filed with the court.
Court documents say that Cpl. Logan Wilder with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Decatur County Central Communications about an accident possibly involving a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 303 E. Water Street in St. Paul. While responding to the call they were advised that the pedestrian was refusing medical attention and that a red Malibu had left the scene. Communications then put out a call for shots fired and advised that the complaintant and vehicle involved were at 404 North County Line Road – with an injured party that had left the scene with a gunshot wound to the head.
Court documents state that a male juvenile was treated at Shelbyville Hospital for a graze wound to the head. His statement to authorities was that he was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle and there was a verbal altercation between the driver and the residents at 303 East Water Street and someone shot through the back window of the vehicle striking him on the left side of his head.
It’s alleged in court documents that a statement from Renee Jones was that she was upset her daughter was late for curfew and using an app could see that the car she was in was being driven at 75 mph. Upon arrival she was lecturing the driver about his driving behavior, The statement continues that someone inside the car said something she didn’t hear. That she turned around and went back to the car, later saying she ran to the car, put her hand on the passenger side door as it was driving off and it was then she fell. She said she saw her husband running towards her and she heard a shot.
Decatur County Sheriff’s Detective Jean Burkert, who handled the investigation, said in court documents that she believes Renee Jones engaged with the occupants of the vehicle, placing herself in danger by grabbing a vehicle already in motion. It’s alleged Craig Jones admitted to intentionally shooting at the vehicle knowing his wife was no longer in imminent danger, the vehicle had passed her, in an attempt to scare or damage the vehicle putting all four individuals in the vehicle at risk of death or serious bodily injury.
The charge of attempted voluntary manslaughter is a level 2 felony and alleges that Craig Jones did knowingly or intentionally attempt to kill another human being while acting under sudden heat by discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. Aggravated Battery is a level 3 felony charge. Battery by means of deadly weapon is a level 5 felony charge. Trial is set for April 25th, 2022.