Background: The 2400 block of Pennsylvania Street in Gary, Indiana (Google Maps). Inset: Charles Franklin (Gary Police Department).
In Indiana, a man is facing charges after allegedly shooting his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child, with a sawed-off shotgun during an altercation at their residence.
Charles Franklin, aged 26, has been charged with several offenses, including murder, domestic battery in the presence of a child under 16, and illegal possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, according to court documents. He is currently detained in Lake County Jail.
The incident took place on Monday at a home located on the 2400 block of Pennsylvania Street. Franklin was at the residence with his girlfriend, 26-year-old Arrianna Miles, and their 11-month-old son, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit examined by the Post-Tribune.
The affidavit describes a heated argument between the couple, during which Miles allegedly considered asking Franklin to leave, citing past issues such as infidelity. Franklin claimed that Miles retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from a closet, leading to a physical struggle between them, after which the gun discharged.
Following the incident, Franklin contacted 911, reporting that Miles had been shot. When asked by the dispatcher if the shooting was intentional, he reportedly hesitated before responding “no.” During the call, Miles could be heard questioning, “Why would you do that?”
According to the affidavit, Miles expressed, “I’m dying,” and requested, “take me outside,” before falling silent.
Gary police officers arrived at the home to find Miles on a sofa suffering from a gunshot wound, with a red stain in her abdomen area. “Please get him away from me,” she begged the officers, the Post-Tribune reported.
She was brought to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her autopsy revealed that she died from a close-range gunshot wound, and investigators were skeptical of Franklin’s story that she had been holding the gun when it went off.
For one, the gun was allegedly shot from a downward trajectory. Officers were also curious as to why five 12-gauge shotgun shells matching the one fired were found lying around the home.
Court records show Franklin also faces a domestic battery charge from April and an intimidation charge from May. He was scheduled to have an initial hearing in court on Thursday.
