Published: September 10, 2009 10:51 pm         

Man surrenders to police after alleged shooting, standoff in Clay County

CENTER POINT — A man was airlifted to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis with multiple gunshot wounds after an apparent domestic disturbance in Clay County Thursday morning.

Indiana State Police and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department responded around 8:35 a.m. after a man, later identified as Frank Ford, 34, of Terre Haute, sought help after receiving several gunshot wounds from a small caliber rifle at a residence in Center Point.

The Indiana State Police report that Ford was allegedly shot several times while visiting the estranged wife of Matthew Alan Aubrey, 25, of Center Point. Aubrey has been charged with aggravated battery, battery with a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness – all felonies.

According to a media release from the Indiana State Police, Ford apparently made his way to another residence to seek help after allegedly being shot at a home on South County Road 375 East in Center Point. Police went to the home and found Aubrey inside with his estranged wife. “The suspect refused requests by law enforcement to surrender and/or release the woman,” according to the media release.

Police then surrounded the home and telephone negotiations began, the media release states. After nearly two hours, the wife was released unharmed. After another 90 minutes, Aubrey left the home without incident and was taken to the Clay County Justice Center where his bond was set at $250,000 with no 10 percent allowed.

Ford, meanwhile, was airlifted to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis where his injuries were described as non-life threatening.

A preliminary investigation indicates Aubrey arrived at the residence in Center Point to discover his wife with another man, according to the media release. “The husband then allegedly shot the visiting male friend multiple times with a small caliber rifle,” the release states.

Further charges could be filed in the case as the investigation continues, according to the state police media release. The state police and Clay County Sheriff’s Department were assisted in the case by the Clay County prosecutor’s office, Indiana Conservation Officers, the Brazil Police Department, the Center Point Fire Department and Trans-Care.



Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.