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Police thwart ‘swatting’ attempt of 3rd Indiana lawmaker, amid Trump’s redistricting push

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Police thwart ‘swatting’ attempt of 3rd Indiana lawmaker, amid Trump’s redistricting push


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A third Republican senator from Indiana has been targeted in a swatting incident the morning of Nov. 20 as pressure on redistricting holdouts continues to mount.

Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, was notified around 8 a.m. that someone had falsely reported domestic abuse at his address and threatened violence to officers who responded. Deery is opposed to mid-decade redistricting. 

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“It is disturbing that anyone would attempt to harm or intimidate lawmakers, but sadly not all that surprising in the current environment,” he said in a news release. “When our family decided to enter the public arena four years ago, we knew our lives would change, but we believed then – and still believe today – that it is important for people who are committed to representing the people with integrity and an attitude of public service to step up. We will continue to do our duty and to do what is in the best interest of our district, no matter the threats.”

The night before the incident, someone had delivered an unpaid pizza to Deery’s home. While not as serious as swatting, Deery said in the release, the tactic conveying “we know where you live” should always be condemned.

The Indiana State Police is investigating multiple incidents of swatting against lawmakers, it announced Nov. 20, and will seek criminal prosecution for those responsible.

“The Indiana State Police warn that not only is this potentially dangerous to all involved, but it is also against the law,” the law enforcement agency said in a statement. “While the motives for this type of activity may vary, we are working diligently with local, county and federal law enforcement partners to identify those responsible for these reckless, careless and illegal activities.”

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Two other senators victims of swatting

The incident against Deery follows a string of other swatting attacks.

Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, was also a victim of swatting, he announced Nov. 19.

“It is scary and shocking to me that someone would go so far to try to cause harm or fear to me or my family,” Dernulc said. “I have always done my best to serve my community, be their voice, and work alongside them and my colleagues at the Statehouse to help make Indiana a great state. It is sad because of these efforts and work that I am villainized in some minds to the point of harmful retaliation.”

Days earlier, Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, was also swatted. The incident occurred hours after President Donald Trump mentioned Goode in a critical Truth Social post.

“While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the volatile nature of our current political climate, I give thanks to God that my family and I are ok,” Goode said over the weekend in a statement.

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While neither lawmaker has issued a public stance on redistricting, both voted to reconvene in January instead of December for redistricting.

The swatting incidents follow a decision by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, to not take up the issue of redistricting. Bray’s announcement that the Senate doesn’t have the votes has brought fury from Trump and other redistricting proponents, including Gov. Mike Braun, who see Indiana as critical to maintain control of Congress.

Trump has called anti-redistricting senators “RINOs,” or “Republicans In Name Only,” and promised to primary those who don’t reverse course. His pressure on Braun to get the job done has also appeared to raise the stakes: the governor said Nov. 18 he would try to “compel” the Senate to meet.

Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or follow her on X @marissa_meador.



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Indiana

Attempted murder suspect arrested in Indianapolis for Bloomington shooting

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Attempted murder suspect arrested in Indianapolis for Bloomington shooting


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A Bloomington man was arrested Wednesday in Indianapolis on an attempted murder charge after police say he fired seven to eight rounds into a white GMC SUV occupied by three adults and four children last month in Bloomington before fleeing the area.

A news release issued Thursday from the Bloomington Police Department said members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s special weapons and tactics team took Kafern P. Johnson, 32, into custody near the intersection of West 84th Street and Allison Avenue in Indianapolis without incident.

The arrest came more than two weeks after the June 23 shooting in the 1000 block of North Summit Street. That’s in a residential area next to Crestmont Park in Bloomington.

Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch received 911 calls at 7:41 p.m. June 23 reporting gunfire in the area.

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Responding patrol officers and detectives determined Johnson had fired into the SUV following a verbal fight with the vehicle’s driver. Police said the dispute stemmed from an argument over a relationship.

No injuries were reported despite the number of people inside the vehicle.

Following his arrest, Johnson was taken to an IMPD facility for questioning and later booked into the Marion County jail. On Thursday morning, he was booked into the Monroe County jail.

The release said Johnson could face felony charges of attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a firearm, and pointing a firearm. No formal charges have yet been filed, according to online court records.

Bloomington police asked anyone with additional information to call 812-349-3324.

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This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.



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FAIRFIELD NATIVE AND HIS WIFE FOUND DEAD IN THEIR NEWBURGH, INDIANA HOME

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FAIRFIELD NATIVE AND HIS WIFE FOUND DEAD IN THEIR NEWBURGH, INDIANA HOME


Fairfield native, David K. Wells, 69, and his wife Aileen, were found dead inside their home in Newburgh, Indiana, Monday night. Warrick County Sheriff Michael Wilder said that deputies responded to the residence just before 8:00 p.m. after dispatch received a call around 7:40 p.m. from a friend of the family requesting a welfare check. When officers didn’t get an answer at the door, they entered through the back of the home and found the couple deceased. Officers cleared the home and waited for detectives to arrive. Investigators also obtained a search warrant to do a further examination of the residence. Authorities were able to notify family members and conduct interviews to gather additional information. Sheriff Wilder said investigators believe the couple had been dead for less than 24 hours before they were found. He also said there is no indication of any forced entry or an intruder. Sheriff Wilder has not made a formal determination as to what happened. Autopsies for the couple were scheduled for yesterday morning to help determine a cause. David Wells grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1975. He had a long career in television commercial production in Evansville and had more recently operated the Cigar! Cigar! tobacco store in Evansville.



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Indiana sees significant drop in number of homeless veterans

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Indiana sees significant drop in number of homeless veterans


INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Indiana saw a significant decline in veteran homelessness last year, despite the total number of homelessness rising across the state.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual estimation of the homeless population, known as the Point in Time (PIT) count, Indiana saw an 18.7% decline in veteran homelessness in 2025 compared to the year before.

That marked the second-largest decline of any state by percentage.

Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana specializes in assistance for veterans facing homelessness. CEO Emmy Hildebrand told News 8 the formula that’s finding success is the same that works with any at-risk group: housing and wrap-around services.

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Hildebrand said that the formula needs support from the state.

“There is no state funding supporting homeless services in our state,” Hildebrand said. “And very little local funding outside Indianapolis.”

Safety net programs have faced budget cuts, with lawmakers eliminating funding for the Housing First program in 2025. It supported organizations helping people secure stable housing.

And housing advocates have criticized Indiana’s public camping ban as essentially making it illegal to be homeless.

HVAF client Terri Massey, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, said the stigma of being homeless was the most difficult challenge to overcome.

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“I’m still trying to provide for my kids,” Massey said “I’m (not) out here being lazy or not trying to do better.”

Massey was working, supporting her children, but found herself sleeping in cars and hotel rooms because she didn’t have stable housing. “Going to that work, working 10 hours, leaving, going to sleep in my car.”

HVAF helped place Massey in a permanent apartment. HVAF also placed Massey in a different kind of “bootcamp” years after her time in the military, learning job skills. She’s looking for a job, but thankful to do it from a place she can call home.

“I am beyond grateful and thankful. I literally pray and thank God every day,” Massey said. “Because for the longest I felt like I was alone. And I had to figure everything out by myself. I didn’t.”

It’s estimated that seven percent of Indiana’s homeless are veterans. Hildebrand said there are federal funds for organizations working with veterans, which support HVAF’s programs.

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Still, finding permanent housing is a struggle.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, for every 100 extremely low-income households in Indiana, just 34 rental homes are affordable and available.

“There are so many people on the bubble that are just one emergency away from living in their car, staying with friends and family, or living on the streets because we don’t have the appropriate system here in Indiana,” Hildebrand said.

Hildebrand said lawmakers assured her they would work to support homeless services, but she hasn’t seen any drafted legislation that might be introduced in the next legislative session.

Across the country, about one in 25 people experiencing homelessness previously served active duty in the armed forces, according to numbers from HUD. Veteran homelessness declined 56% between 2009 and 2025.

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