UPDATE (2/28/2024) — The Greencastle Police Department said McGuff and his alleged accomplice in the home invasion shooting were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon in Greencastle.
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PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. — A man accused of murdering a Brazil man is now facing charges for his alleged role in a separate shooting.
According to court documents, Jon Luke Benjamin McGuff shot a person in Putnam County on Saturday. Police reporting on the incident indicates McGuff and another man knocked on the door of a residence, hid from the view of a peephole and then rushed the person who opened the door of the home.
Court documents report that a fight ensued in the residence, which later led to a person being shot. Police reported that the person was shot in the clavicle on the left side, but the bullet exited on the right side in the area of their neck and throat.
Greencastle police have reported that the victim’s injuries were “non-critical.” The victim has been released from the hospital, per Greencastle PD.
The victim spoke with police on scene and later in an ambulance before heading to a hospital. During both interviews with police, the victim identified the shooter as McGuff.
Indiana’s public court reporting system indicates McGuff has been formally charged with aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, robbery resulting in bodily injury, criminal reckless where the suspect shoots a firearm into a building and auto theft. All of the charges are felonies.
According to previous reporting from WTWO, McGuff allegedly killed William Matherly of Brazil last May. Per court documents obtained by WTWO, an autopsy revealed that Matherly was shot four times in the chest.
On Jan. 31, WTWO reported that McGuff was released from jail on a recognizance bond following a motion from his defense attorney. McGuff was allowed to be released from jail because his trial did not start fast enough.
Per WTWO, Indiana law states that a person who is detained on a pending charge must have their trial begin no later than 180 days after the date the criminal charge is filed or from the date of their arrest, whichever is later.
WTWO reported that a murder charge was brought against McGuff on May 16, 2023. A Clay County judge set McGuff’s initial trial for Dec. 18, 2023, which was outside the 180-day window.
McGuff’s jury trial in the murder case is set for April 22. A court date has not yet been set for the Putnam County shooting McGuff is implicated in.
Greencastle Police reported that, as of 1:09 p.m. Tuesday, McGuff had not been arrested. Police have indicated that they are still searching for him.
Clay County Prosecutor Emily Bookwalter stated on Tuesday that her office is filing a motion to revoke McGuff’s release in regard to the murder case.
