Trendpills
An Indiana homeowner has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of a house cleaner who went to the wrong address for a cleaning appointment. The homeowner, Curt Andersen of Whitestown, was also charged with criminal recklessness in the death of Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez on November 6.
According to court documents and police statements, Rios Perez de Velasquez and a co-worker from a cleaning service arrived at Andersen's home by mistake. They had been scheduled to clean a home on a similarly named street nearby. Finding the front door unlocked, Rios Perez de Velasquez entered the residence while her colleague waited outside. Inside, Andersen, whose wife and child were sleeping upstairs, reportedly told investigators he believed he was being burglarized and fired a single shot that struck the unarmed woman in the chest. Andersen then called 911 to report a home invasion and a shooting.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood announced the charges on November 15, stating that while homeowners have the right to protect themselves, the investigation determined that Andersen’s belief that he and his family were in danger was not reasonable under the circumstances. Details from the charging documents indicate Rios Perez de Velasquez was wearing a uniform for GIA Cleaning Services at the time of the incident. Prosecutors noted that her actions were not threatening and that she did not attempt to enter further into the home after being confronted.
The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the tragic consequences of mistaken-address encounters. The fatal shooting in the Indianapolis suburb has raised questions about self-defense laws and the responsibility of homeowners to assess a threat before using lethal force. Rios Perez de Velasquez was a mother of two who had recently moved to the area. Andersen was arrested and later released after posting a $15,000 bond. He is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
