Published: May 18, 2009 10:29 pm         

Three arrested following Monday drive-by shooting

TERRE HAUTE — What police referred to as a “long-running feud” between two men over a woman resulted in multiple drive-by shootings during the early hours of Monday morning.

“They’ve had physical altercations before and eventually guns got into play,” said Terre Haute Police Dept. Det. Gary Shook.

According to Shook, a series of disputes between James Pauuwe, 29, of Terre Haute, and another man culminated late Sunday evening with Pauuwe calling a woman at a residence on Hollywood Avenue, threatening to shoot up homes “frequented” by the other man.

Pauuwe allegedly convinced Brandy Mitchell, 29, Terre Haute, to drive him and Cody Thompson, 25, also of Terre Haute, to a home in the 2800 block of 9-1/2 Street. There, police say, rounds were fired from semiautomatic handguns into the residence. Shook said three adults and two children were in the home at the time, and one of the bullets struck a crib in which a 9-month-old baby was sleeping.

No injuries were reported, the detective said.

The Pauuwe group then drove to Hollywood Avenue and allegedly fired rounds into the residence of the woman Pauuwe had earlier threatened. According to Shook, the woman’s home was a place frequented by Pauuwe’s supposed rival.

The shootings occurred between 12:30 and 1 a.m., Shook said.

Officer Dan Armentrell pulled over Mitchell’s vehicle near Garfield and Carl avenues and, according to police, found handguns matching those suspected in the shootings, as well as an outstanding warrant for Thompson.

The man Pauuwe had threatened was not in either of the residences fired upon, Shook said.

Pauuwe remained in the Vigo County jail Monday night without bail, facing a misdemeanor allegation of criminal recklessness. He was to appear at 10 a.m. today in Vigo County Superior Court Division 3.

Mitchell remains in the Vigo County jail with bail at $50,000, no 10 percent allowed. She faces one misdemeanor allegation of criminal recklessness.

Thompson remains in the Vigo County jail with bail at $50,000, no 10 percent allowed, on misdemeanor allegations of criminal recklessness and possession of a controlled substance. He also is being held for court proceedings in Parke County stemming from a warrant for invasion of privacy.

Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.