An Indiana homeowner has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after shooting and killing a woman who mistakenly arrived at his home for a cleaning job. The homeowner claimed self-defense, but investigators found no evidence of forced entry or aggression from the victim.
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WHITESTOWN, IN (4-minute read) — An Indiana man is facing serious charges after he fatally shot a woman who mistakenly came to his home for a cleaning job. The incident occurred early on November 5 in the quiet Heritage subdivision in Whitestown, resulting in the tragic death of 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez.
Authorities say Curt Andersen, the homeowner, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and is being held in the Boone County Jail. Prosecutors allege that Andersen fired a single shot through his locked front door, striking Velasquez in the head. She was found on the front porch and pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Velasquez and her husband Mauricio had mistakenly arrived at the wrong house around 7 a.m. for a cleaning appointment. Mauricio said he had checked the address beforehand but realized something was wrong when his wife collapsed in his arms after taking a step back from the door.
Newly released details reveal that Andersen and his wife had been asleep when they heard noises outside. Andersen believed someone was attempting to break in and, without issuing a warning, retrieved his Glock 48 handgun and fired one shot from the top of his stairs. He told police he saw two figures outside and felt they were “thrusting” at the door aggressively.
However, investigators found no evidence of forced entry, no marks on the door, and no signs of attempted break-in. Andersen’s shell casing was recovered on the staircase inside the home.
Prosecutor Kent Eastwood said the shooting did not meet the criteria for Indiana’s Stand Your Ground law. He emphasized that the evidence did not support a reasonable fear of imminent harm, which is necessary to justify the use of deadly force in self-defense.
Velasquez, a mother of four, was originally from Guatemala. Her family is now working to return her body to her home country for burial. Her youngest child is just 11 months old.
This incident has sparked renewed conversation around home defense laws, responsible gun ownership, and the importance of confirming threats before using deadly force. It’s a devastating example of how fear and assumptions can lead to irreversible consequences.
When is Deadly Force Justified? A Look at Indiana’s Self-Defense Laws
Indiana’s Stand Your Ground statute allows individuals to use deadly force to protect themselves or others if they reasonably believe they are facing an imminent threat. However, this law does not give blanket immunity. Prosecutors and courts look closely at whether the belief in danger was reasonable and whether non-lethal options existed. In this case, officials determined that shooting through a locked door without warning or a clear threat went beyond what the law allows.
Safety Tip: Always identify a clear and immediate threat before using a firearm for self-defense. Understand your state’s self-defense laws and ensure your actions align with legal and moral responsibility.
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