Shooting victim’s death ruled homicide
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 08/26/2009
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The Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy Tuesday for the victim of a shooting that took place Saturday near campus.
The victim’s death was ruled a homicide and the case will now be forwarded to the prosecutor's office.
During the incident, Landon Siela, a 21-year-old Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne student, was visiting his friends Cory Lynch and William Calderon, both 22-year-old Purdue students. The two friends were pointing .45 caliber handguns at Siela as a joke when one of the guns, thought to be unloaded, went off, shooting Siela in the neck. Police said alcohol was involved.
Police responded at approximately 7 p.m. to 204 Wiggins St. Apt. 2 and Siela was taken to Saint Elizabeth Central Hospital where he later died. Lynch, who is suspected of firing the shot that killed Siela, was arrested on suspicion of reckless homicide, a class C felony, and pointing a firearm, a class D felony. Calderon was arrested on suspicion of pointing a firearm and false informing, both class A misdemeanors. Both were released Sunday after posting bond.
According to the autopsy, Siela died of severe blood loss and damage to his throat. The coroner has requested toxicology reports for Siela which should take about three weeks to finish.