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Homeowner Charged in Fatal Shooting of House Cleaner Who Mistakenly Arrived at Wrong Address
WHITESTOWN, Ind. – A Whitestown homeowner is now facing a felony charge of voluntary manslaughter after fatally shooting a house cleaner who, along with her husband, mistakenly arrived at his residence earlier this month. The incident, which occurred approximately 20 miles outside of Indianapolis, involved a cleaning crew who inadvertently showed up at the wrong address, according to police.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood announced Monday that Curt Andersen, the homeowner, has been charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony. Eastwood clarified that the decision to bring charges came after a thorough review determined that the shooting did not meet the legal criteria for protection under Indiana’s “stand your ground” law. This self-defense statute permits the use of deadly force when individuals reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent serious bodily injury.
“It is vitally important for the citizens of Boone County to understand that our decision today in no way should be interpreted as a challenge to Indiana ‘stand your ground’ law, or a person’s right to self-defense,” Eastwood stated in a press conference. “Based upon the particular evidence and circumstances of this case, we have determined that Curt Andersen’s actions do not fall within the legal protections provided by the Indiana ‘stand your ground’ law.”
The victim has been identified as Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velazquez, who, along with her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, was part of a cleaning crew. The couple shares four children.
Alex J. Limontes, an attorney representing the family, expressed their encouragement regarding the charges, calling it a crucial step toward “accountability, truth and justice” for Maria’s “tragic and preventable death.” Limontes emphasized that Maria was simply performing her job, supporting her family, and contributing to her community when the incident occurred.
On the morning of November 5, before 7 a.m., Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of a possible break-in at a local subdivision. Upon arrival, they discovered Perez deceased on the front porch with a gunshot wound. Mauricio Velazquez was unharmed.
Velazquez later recounted to CBS affiliate WTTV that the fatal shot was fired from inside the home, through the door. A visible bullet hole in the door was noted in the aftermath. “They should’ve called the police first instead of just shooting out of nowhere like that,” Velazquez told WTTV through an interpreter.
The Whitestown Police Department has affirmed its commitment to a “thorough and impartial investigation,” with officers interviewing all individuals involved and crime scene investigators meticulously collecting and analyzing evidence. The department is collaborating closely with the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office.
“We understand that incidents like this can cause concern and speculation,” Whitestown police stated, urging the public to trust the investigative process and refrain from sharing unverified information, as misinformation can be detrimental to both those involved and the integrity of the investigation.
Indiana is one of 31 states with a “stand your ground” law, though experts stress that the circumstances for its application must be reasonable. This case draws parallels to other high-profile incidents from 2023, including the fatal shooting of a Black teenager in Missouri who rang the wrong doorbell, and a New York man sentenced for killing a woman who inadvertently pulled into his driveway.