The charge stems from an incident on July 19 at a home on Prosperity Ridge Road.
William "Billy" Baker. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.
(Dillsboro, Ind.) - A Dillsboro man is in custody after the shooting death of recent South Dearborn High School graduate.
The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene of a fatal shooting that occurred during a graduation party at a home on Prosperity Ridge Road on July 19 around 1:24 a.m.
Upon arriving at the scene, sheriff's deputies found Paycin K. Kritlow, 18, of Moores Hill, deceased in the driveway with an apparent gunshot wound. Through the investigation, deputies learned that the shot entered Kritlow's back and exited through his neck.
The shot was allegedly fired by William "Billy" Baker. The 47-year-old told investigators that a teenage family member told him she'd been raped and that the person who did it was at the party. Baker proceeded to his house, retrieved a .30-06 rifle and went to his shed, which was lit - so he could see through the scope.
A witness told detectives that he was seated near the garage and heard a boom. The man stated it felt like some debris had struck him, then he saw a boy laying on the ground.
Police interviewed the teen who Baker believed had been raped. She allegedly stated that at no time did she say she had been sexually assaulted, and that she was unaware of any other person present at the party who made any such statements.
During a search of Baker's home, officers allegedly located an open box of .30-06 caliber shells with six shells missing. One shell casing was allegedly found near the shed and five others were either in the rife, in Baker's pocket or near the rifle.
Baker was formally charged with Murder on Tuesday.
He is held at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center pending his initial hearing today.
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