EPD: Teen killed after pulling gun during attempted robbery

Isaiah Seibert | Evansville

Show Caption Hide Caption 911 and dispatch audio from Dec. 2 fatal shooting WARNING: Strong language. Hear 911 and dispatch audio from the incident in which police say an Evansville teen was killed in a shooting during an attempted robbery.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — An Evansville teen was killed in a late Monday night shooting that happened during an attempted robbery, police said.

The Vanderburgh County Coroner's office confirmed that DeAndre Ellington, 18, died at an Evansville hospital at 10:59 p.m. after he was taken to the emergency department by ambulance. An autopsy is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Coroner Steve Lockyear said.

According to records from Evansville-Vanderburgh Central Dispatch, a call of shots fired came at 10:07 p.m. in the 2200 block of North Fulton Avenue. When police arrived they found Ellington shot on the sidewalk.

In a recording of the 911 call obtained by Courier & Press, a man called dispatchers saying he heard gunshots and went outside. He said someone was shot and wounded but didn't know who, and he was worried someone would come shoot up his house.

The caller was evading some questions from the dispatcher, who told emergency responders over police radio that the man was being "difficult."

At one point in a recording of the radio traffic, an officer said there were multiple guns on the scene and that a black man was unconscious.

About two minutes later, police said they had one person in custody and were holding two others at gunpoint.

In a news release, police said Ellington had been shot and was unable to communicate with officers, who learned he had met with several people to sell a handgun. Police said witnesses told them Ellington pointed a handgun at the group and tried to rob them. One of the alleged intended robbery victims was armed with a handgun and fired several times in response to Ellington’s actions, police said.

Ellington was the only person shot. The person who police believe shot Ellington was interviewed by officers and has not been charged with a crime at this time, police said.

Two handguns were found on the ground next to Ellington and were collected by investigators. The gun used by the intended robbery victim was also collected by investigators, police said.

The shooting happened just across from Cedar Hall School.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call EPD or WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME.

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