“Elkhart County Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Recently Released Jail Inmate; March 18 Trial Scheduled”

– Circuit Court: Man shot after release from jail
– Circuit Court: Man shot following jail release.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : GOSHEN — A shocking incident occurred in Goshen when a man was shot within an hour of being released from the Elkhart County Jail. The incident has led to the arrest of his girlfriend’s father, who is now facing charges of attempted murder.

The incident began when Emiliano Garcia Varrios’ wife received a call from the Elkhart County Jail, informing her that William Pritt IV, 18, would be released from custody at 4:30 p.m. on December 17. Pritt IV had been arrested on December 15 on a battery charge involving the woman. Pritt IV was in a relationship with Garcia Varrios’ 14-year-old daughter, which was strongly disapproved of by Garcia Varrios and his wife.

Just under an hour later, at 5:23 p.m., Elkhart County deputies responded to a shooting incident on Oak Hills Drive in Middlebury. Both Pritt IV and his father had been shot. According to Pritt IV’s statement to the police, his mother had given him a ride home from the jail when Garcia Varrios and another man approached him. Pritt IV claimed that he started running towards the house when Garcia Varrios began shooting at him.

While Pritt IV’s father sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle, Pritt IV was shot in the shoulder and, at the time of the probable cause affidavit, was reportedly paralyzed from the chest down. Garcia Varrios has been charged with attempted murder, a level 1 felony, and criminal recklessness, a level 5 felony. He has hired Martin McClosky as his defense attorney and the trial is scheduled for March 18.

In another murder case, the trial of Sherman Whitener Jr. may be postponed if the defense team is unable to contact a key witness. Whitener, 23, is charged with the death of Deontae Harris on July 8, 2021. The incident occurred when Elkhart City Police responded to reports of gunfire on Prairie Street and Indiana Street. Harris was found lying in the street with a gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead at Elkhart General Hospital.

During the investigation, surveillance footage revealed that Whitener had interacted with the driver of a black Chevrolet Impala before the shooting took place. Whitener was seen approaching the vehicle and extending his arm towards a black Ford SUV that passed by. Whitener then fled the scene, while the driver of the Impala returned to check on Harris before leaving again. Despite evidence linking Whitener to the crime, the defense team is struggling to serve a witness who could provide crucial testimony.

In the case of Dentrell Brown, preparations for trial are underway. Brown, 28, is accused of a shooting incident at the Eagles Lodge in Elkhart on April 17, 2022. A fight broke out during an event, and Brown allegedly ran out of the venue before returning with a gun and firing multiple shots. Two men were injured and taken to Elkhart General Hospital. The defense team has faced difficulties in recording the deposition of a ballistics expert, which has caused delays in the case. The trial is scheduled for March 4.

Meanwhile, Samuel P. Dux Jr., 27, has been sentenced to three years of probation for burglary, a level 5 felony. Dux was accused of breaking into a rental home in Elkhart on October 9. The resident reported a possible residential entry and identified Dux as the intruder. Surveillance footage confirmed Dux’s forced entry into the residence. He will serve his probation term for the burglary charge.

In another case, Anthony R.A. Aker, 19, pleaded guilty to burglary and auto theft charges. Aker and his partner, Landon A. Gibson, 19, were accused of burglarizing Pep Auto Sales in Goshen and stealing five vehicles from the lot. The stolen vehicles were later found inside an abandoned building at Ozinga. Aker received a sentence of five years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, with two years suspended, and two years on reporting probation. Gibson was sentenced to a concurrent total of five years for burglary and two years for auto theft.

These cases highlight the ongoing legal proceedings in Elkhart County and the efforts of law enforcement and the justice system to ensure justice is served..

1. Circuit Court: Man shot after release from jail
2. Circuit Court shooting: Man injured post-jail release.