By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

SOUTH WHITLEY — A South Whitley woman was recently arrested after a gun discharged during an alleged altercation, causing injury to a man.

Lisa Janelle Thomas

Lisa Janelle Thomas, 48, 4343 W. SR 14, South Whitley, is being charged with criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Aug. 9, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist a Whitley County Sheriff’s deputy at a domestic disturbance in South Whitley. Upon arrival, the officers were informed that there had been a physical altercation inside a vehicle. During the altercation, a firearm was discharged, causing injury to a man.

The man told officers that he and Thomas had spent the day at a nearby hotel where they had consumed alcohol. The two decided to drive back to South Whitley, with Thomas driving the vehicle. An argument and physical altercation began inside the vehicle, with both subjects striking each other. During the altercation, Thomas allegedly retrieved her handgun from the driver’s side of the vehicle. At some point, the firearm was discharged while the man’s hand was near the barrel, causing injury to his finger. The man stated that he was not sure how the firearm fired and that Thomas did not point the firearm at him.

Thomas was then interviewed and provided the same story to officers as the man. She was not sure how the firearm discharged.

Officers searched the vehicle and located a handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. A spent 9 mm cartridge casing was seen on the floorboard and blood was observed on the center console. A bullet hole was found on the bottom of the steering column and in the driver’s side window.

Thomas was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Sept. 26, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.