Teen killed in Hartford City shooting described as happy girl

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. (WISH) – Police continue to search for a suspect after two people were shot and killed in Blackford County.

The shooting happened at Hartford Square Apartments in the 200 block of East Chestnut Street early Monday morning.

Hartford City Police are looking into several persons of interests, but have not made any arrests in the case.

Those who knew the victims tell 24-Hour News 8 the 14-year-old girl lived at the apartment complex with her father.

Her boyfriend says he’s devastated and wants to know who would do this and why.

“She was always happy, smiling, she was a happy girl,” said boyfriend.

Katelyn Williamson’s boyfriend was at a loss for words Thursday afternoon, just hours after learning that his girlfriend was shot and killed in her apartment.

“I don’t know if she was dead at first. I went looking for her for like two hours,” he said. “She never texted me back. I thought she was at school so I called the school. They never found her,” he said.

Police responded to a possible shooting call at Hartford Square Apartments. When they arrived on scene they found the teenage girl dead in an upstairs apartment. Her father, identified by the boyfriend, was found in the parking lot. Police say both had a single gunshot wound to the head.

“This obviously put the community on a little bit of an uneasy feeling. I assure everyone in the community that we have highly competent individuals investigating as we speak,” said Chief Scott Mealy, Hartford City Police Department.

Police blocked off the crime scene as they gathered evidence. Schools in Jay and Blackford counties were also placed on locked down as a safety precaution while police search for the suspect.

“Suspect description is an older man with a grey pony tail and grey goatee,” said Chief Mealy.

The police chief says this murder is the first for their town in more than two decades.

A neighbor, who lives next to the family says he’s praying for justice.

“She was a nice young girl. I see her coming and going and stuff like that,” said Monterius Sharp, neighbor. “They don’t bother people. I don’t see why they have to suffer through this consequence.”

Police say an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Blackford County Sherieff’s Office at (765) 348- 0930.