DATE: Monday, May 04, 2020
SUBJECT: Chandler Man Arrested after Firing a Handgun During Dispute over Stimulus Money
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-NR-025
CONTACT: Col. Noah Robinson / Sgt. Erik Nilssen
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
A 911 hang-up call leads to the arrest of a Chandler, IN man for firing a handgun in a reckless manner during an argument.
On Sunday, May 03, 2020 at approximately 2:40 AM, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of the 7700 block of Baumgart Rd in reference a 911 hang-up. Deputies arrived in the area and located a male victim in the ditch. The victim told deputies that his former friend, Mr. Nicholas Beamon, had pointed a handgun at him, threatened to shoot him, and fired a round off.
The victim stated he had been staying at a nearby hotel with Nicholas and two other subjects. While staying there, the victim advised that he was unable to locate funds from his stimulus check and accused Mr. Beamon of stealing them. This argument attracted the attention of hotel management who called 911. The victim and Mr. Beamon then fled the scene with Mr. Beamon’s mother and drove to the Baumgart Rd area. Mr. Beamon then ordered the victim out of the vehicle they were riding in. The victim stated that after exiting the vehicle, Mr. Beamon retrieved a firearm, pointed it at him, and then fired one round off. Mr. Beamon then fled the scene with his mother. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office were able to locate a single shell casing near the scene.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with Warrick County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Chandler Police Department officers developed information that led them to a residence near Chandler, Indiana. Mr. Beamon refused to exit the residence and was later located hiding underneath a pickup truck in the garage. Deputies recovered the firearm involved in the incident.
Mr. Beamon was transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail and is being held without bond. In addition to the charges related to the Sunday morning incident, Mr. Beamon was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for two counts of burglary, one count of arson, one count of unauthorized vehicle entry, and one count of criminal mischief.
Deputies also determined that Mr. Beamon had pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun without a license in Vanderburgh County in 2017. This incident remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming.
ARRESTED:
Nicholas Joe Beamon (pictured above), 31, of Chandler, IN. Criminal Recklessness While Armed with a Deadly Weapon as a Level 5 Felony, Possession of a Handgun Without a License with Prior Conviciton as a Level 6 Felony, Pointing a Loaded Firearm at a Person as a Level 6 Felony, Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon as a Level 5 Felony.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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