Docs: Victim of murder was ‘like a father’ to Suspect

VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A witness described the victim of a recent Vincennes murder as “like a father” to the man police say shot and killed him.

That’s according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Knox County Superior Court in relation to the arrest of 18-year-old Calvin James Wittmer.

Police were called to a residence in the 1300 block of N. 14th Street in Vincennes at 12:35 a.m. on Wednesday. A witness at the scene reportedly told police the shooting occurred following a long day of arguments and discussion between Wittmer and the victim.

The victim, who has not been identified by police, reportedly travelled to Lawrenceville at the request of Wittmer on Tuesday because Wittmer claimed he was being chased.

“[Witness] stated earlier in the day on 7-23-24 Victim 1 had received a phone call from Calvin stating he was being chased in Lawrenceville and needed to be picked up. [Witness] stated Calvin is like a son to Victim 1, so he was worried about him”

Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Knox County Court

After being unable to locate Wittmer in Lawrenceville, the pair began to return to Vincennes when they received a message from Wittmer stating he was now in Sumner and needed a ride as he was being chased.

The witness told police at this time her car broke down, so the victim got a ride with a passerby to Sumner. Unable to locate Wittmer there, the victim reportedly got a ride home to Vincennes.

Wittmer reportedly came to the home between 9-10 p.m. and was upset for “being left stranded” in Sumner and Lawrenceville. The witness said the two argued for some time on and off with breaks to smoke weed, drink, and eat chicken wraps.

“[Witness] stated Victim 1 stood up, put his hands on Calvin’s shoulders, told him he needed to straighten up, and if he wanted to prove he was a big man then do it to him,” police wrote.

Shortly after Wittmer and the victim both reportedly ran off toward the other room when the witness heard gunshots.

Police said when they arrived at the scene they found the victim deceased with several gunshot wounds to the chest. The witness told police that Wittmer had fled the home. Police said a woman came to the home and told them that Wittmer had walked into her home in the 1600 block of Canbro Street.

Police then set up a perimeter around that home and called for Wittmer to surrender. An undisclosed amount of time later, Wittmer left the house and surrendered to arrest.

Police reported locating a 9mm Glock handgun with an extended magazine hidden under a couch in the home’s basement that matched the description provided by the witness at the scene of the shooting.

Police said Wittmer refused to speak to them and was taken into custody and sent to the Knox County Jail where he remains held on no bond.

Court records how that Wittmer has been charged with murder in relation to the case. He is scheduled for an initial hearing Friday afternoon.

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