Former KFC Employee Arrested After Shooting Victim in Beech Grove

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Former Employee Arrested and Charged After Shooting Incident at Beech Grove KFC

BEECH GROVE, Ind. — A former employee of a KFC in Beech Grove is now facing a felony charge after allegedly shooting a man in the head on Tuesday night. The incident occurred at the KFC located at 4035 S. Emerson Avenue, prompting a swift response from the Beech Grove Police Department.

According to reports, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving multiple calls about gunshots and witnessing a Black male running away from the area. Upon arrival, the police discovered a man with gunshot wounds in critical condition. He was immediately rushed to Eskenazi Hospital for treatment.

The victim, who remained conscious but unable to speak, had a bullet lodged in his head. The police identified him as an employee of the KFC and stated that he had informed them that “RJ” was the one who shot him. It was later confirmed that “RJ” referred to Roberto Petties, a former employee who had been fired earlier that day.

Authorities revealed that the KFC manager had informed them of Petties’ threats to “shoot all the white people” at the restaurant. Detectives and the Beech Grove Special Response Team were able to locate Petties at his residence on Kickapoo Trail and promptly arrested him on charges of aggravated battery, a level 3 felony.

During the investigation, Petties admitted to having made statements about wanting to shoot all the white people in a group chat with other KFC employees earlier on the same day. He also claimed that he had received threatening messages from the victim and that the victim had invited him to the KFC.

However, Petties denied any involvement in the shooting and insisted that he was not present at the KFC at the time of the incident. Investigators are currently working to determine the exact motive behind the shooting but suspect that it may be related to a complex relationship between Petties, the victim, and a female employee who also worked at the restaurant.

Tom Hurrle, Beech Grove’s deputy chief of operations, stated that Petties and the victim had a connection through the female employee, with whom they each had children and the suspect expecting another child. Hurrle emphasized that Petties had been terminated from his job earlier that day, adding another layer to the incident.

As the investigation continues, authorities are looking into the threatening messages exchanged between Petties and the victim, as well as their relationship with the female employee, to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Beech Grove community, highlighting the need for increased safety measures and awareness in the workplace. The Beech Grove Police Department is urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

The victim remains in critical condition, and his prognosis is uncertain as medical professionals work to treat his injuries. The community is rallying behind him and his family, offering support and hoping for his recovery.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of conflict resolution and the need to address underlying issues within the workplace. Employers and employees alike must prioritize communication and seek peaceful resolutions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

As the legal proceedings against Roberto Petties move forward, the Beech Grove community will be watching closely, hoping for justice to be served and for steps to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future..