MUNCIE, Ind. — An investigation is underway after a man and his dog were shot and killed Thursday night in Muncie.

According to court documents obtained by local affiliate WXIN, officers with the Muncie Police Department were called around 7:24 p.m. to the 900 block of S. Burlington Drive after dispatch received a call stating that “someone just shot someone.”

“He just kept charging”: Investigation, arrest

Court documents show that the alleged shooter, who police identified as 28-year-old Avery Bowden, spoke with dispatch and claimed that his neighbor had attacked him moments before he pulled the trigger. Bowden went on to add that his neighbor allegedly struck him with a rock and that his dog had attacked him.

He added that the shooting victim was his friend, but that he “just kept going after” him.

Bowden explained that he initially shot a round into the ground in an attempt to prevent his neighbor from moving toward him, but claimed that he “just kept charging.” After the shooting, Bowden said he placed the firearm near the front door with the magazine removed.

When officers arrived, they reportedly found the victim and a dog suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead on the scene.

Police then detained Bowden and proceeded to interview him as they attempted to piece together what events had occurred before the fatal shooting.

Detectives then reviewed footage collected from a nearby home security camera that documented the alleged incident. Court documents stated that a white truck and a small passenger car pulled into a driveway leading to the residence in question. A male wearing a red shirt can then be seen reportedly running around the yard alongside a large dog. Police determined this man to be the shooting victim.

A short time later, the white truck began to pull out of the driveway and the dog began to chase it. The truck then pulled forward and appeared to come to a halt between the victim and Bowden.

The truck then pulled away and the victim can be seen allegedly running toward Bowden. A few moments later, the victim reportedly fell to the ground before the dog began to run at Bowden. The dog can then be seen falling to the ground as well, court documents revealed. Bowden then reportedly ran into his residence.

Bowden’s account

During the interview with police, Bowden said an individual had come to his residence to take a look at his motorcycle. Bowden said he gave this individual a set of headlights for his vehicle. While they were changing the headlights, Bowden said the victim reportedly came onto his property with his dog and appeared to be intoxicated.

Bowden claimed the victim was “trying to start an issue” with him and that he tried to speak with him to calm him down. Bowden noted that the victim would not calm down reportedly struck his vehicle with a rock.

Bowden said he then ran into his house and was looking for his phone to call 911, but claimed that he could not find it. He said he then picked up a firearm and put it in his pocket just in case he needed it for “protection.”

He then reportedly admitted that he shot his neighbor because he would not stop advancing toward him. He said he also shot his neighbor’s dog as it began to charge toward him. The interview ended after Bowden said he did not wish to speak with the detective anymore.

As the investigation developed, officers served a search warrant at Bowden’s residence. Court documents reveal that they did not find a rock near the victim’s body as Bowden had claimed during the police interview. While searching inside the residence, detectives reportedly seized a bag containing multiple pills suspected of being counterfeit oxycodone.

Bowden was placed under arrest on Friday and transported to the Delaware County Jail, where he faces the following preliminary charges:

• Murder
• Killing a Domestic Animal (Level 6 Felony)
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 Felony)