VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Vigo County Sheriff Derek Fell revealed more details in the recent murder case.
Vigo County Deputies were dispatched to North 13th and 1/2 Street Thursday night, in reference to gunshot wound reports.
According to the probable cause affidavit, when they arrived, they were met with two gunshot victims.
“They secured the scene before medical personnel were able to enter the scene”, Fell said. “There were two victims in a bedroom area, a male and a female. Unfortunately, the male victim was deceased. The female was transported to an Indianapolis area hospital for her injuries.”
The victims were 46-year-old Mark Gayer and 33-year-old Meagen Anderson.
After deeming the scene to be a homicide, deputies received information that a man had knocked on a window near the area of the shooting, requested a ride, and was dropped off to a home on Hendricks Avenue.
“We secured the perimeter and called on THPD’s SRT team”, Fell said. “They arrived on scene very quickly and a standoff did ensue for a few hours. Eventually, they exited the residence without any incident.”
The suspect was 18-year-old Joshua Torpy, who was revealed as Gayer’s nephew. After speaking with Torpy, authorities believed he didn’t act alone.
“We made that first arrest very quickly that night and based on the information we received from that individual, led us to believe that there was a second shooter”, Fell said.
The probable cause affidavit states Torpy told authorities, in a later interview, that a second suspect was involved, but would not give a name. Torpy’s friend, who was with him during the standoff, Kyle Peretti, was later arrested. Both men are facing murder charges.
“Right now, they are both facing murder and attempted murder charges based on the female who is also injured”, Fell said. “A second murder charge if she were to pass away from her injures.”
Sheriff Fell declined to comment on a possible motive of the two suspects. However, Torpy told deputies that he, Kyle Peretti, and Mark Gayer all owned a construction company together. Court records state that Torpy had a business dispute with Gayer.
Sheriff Fell said the investigation will continue, dispute the two arrests being made. As evidence will be sent to the state police lab for analysis, which could bring additional details to light.
