Connersville Man Arrested After Accidental Shot Into Occupied Apartment Leads to Major Drug and Weapon Seizure

PRESS RELEASE

On 03/12/2026 at approximately 5:17PM, the Patrol Division was dispatched to Town Terrace Apartments in reference to shots fired. Upon their arrival, they were able to locate where the single gunshot had taken place, due to the round entering a separate, occupied apartment. Officers initially located the fragmentation from the discharged round and were able to find the hole from which the shot came.

They then made contact with the tenant from the apartment where the shot was fired. He was identified as John Evans Jr., 20, of Connersville. During their initial observations of the apartment, they observed a large amount of a substance consistent with Marijuana, as well as, THC vape pens and cartridges, and THC edible gummies. They also observed several firearms.

At that time, they contacted the Detective Division and requested a Detective to respond. Investigators soon arrived and assumed the investigation. During the interview of Evans Jr, it was learned that there was video surveillance of the shot being fired and it was believed that Evans Jr was impaired and under the influence of THC. It appeared that Evans Jr, in his state of impairment, was showing some guns to friends/family, when a Glock 19 handgun was discharged. The round traveled through the wall and into the adjoining apartment, where there were people present, however, there were no injuries from the round.

A subsequent search of the apartment by the Patrol and Detective Division’s led to the discovery of approximately 540 grams of raw marijuana, a large jar of THC wax, approximately 57 THC pens/cartridges, and approximately 14 packages of THC edible gummies. There were 20 firearms seized during the search, as well as, 7 containers of suspected Tannerite for further investigation.

Evans Jr was preliminarily charged with Criminal Reckless (discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling) a L-5 Felony, as well as, various charges related to the illegal drugs and paraphernalia located. He was left in the custody of the Fayette County Jail, awaiting arraignment. This investigation remains on-going and charges could be modified.

We would like to stress the importance of gun safety. Drug and alcohol use should never occur while handling firearms and we encourage gun owners to seek out gun safety education to gain confidence in the safe handling of firearms. We are thankful that there were no injuries as a result of this incident.

**All subjects arrested are considered innocent, until proven guilty in a Court of Law.