Aurora, IN—
Update—Murder charges were formally filed today from the death of Nicholas Woodruff, 19, of Aurora. Robert Lee Marksberry, 64, was charged on an allegation of Murder from the event that took place in Aurora on May 28th.
That night, police allege that Marksberry was at the residence of his half-brother, Terry Woodruff on West Conwell Street. According to police, Marksberry had been at the residence for several hours when they decided to leave. Marksberry, who was driving and his passenger, Michael Tunstall, were leaving when Terry stopped the Defendant and they were all talking. Nicholas came out of the residence and proceeded to the roadway where the conversation was occurring. Police learned that Nicholas hopped into the bed of Marksberry’s truck where Nicholas picked up either a chainsaw or trimmer. Marksberry allegedly made a remark to the effect of, “don’t think you’re going to be stealing my stuff..I’ll shoot you.” Nicholas exited the bed of the pickup truck, came to the driver’s side door where the Marksberry was seated and struck him in the face with his fist. Marksberry then allegedly shot Nicholas in the heart with a .32 caliber handgun and sped off.
Police learned that Marksberry purchased the gun and two bullets earlier in the day of the shooting from a family member in Aurora.
Original Story—Late Thursday night officers responded to a report of a person shot at an address on Indiana Avenue in Aurora. Nicholas Woodruff, 19, of Aurora was immediately transported from the scene to High Point Health where he died as a result of his injuries.
In the initial investigation, the Indiana State Police and Aurora Police Department have determined that sometime just prior to 10 pm Thursday, Robert L. Marksberry, 64, Switzerland County, arrived at 803 Indiana Avenue, in Aurora. At some point after Marksberry was involved in an altercation with Woodruff. Marksberry retrieved a gun and allegedly shot Woodruff before leaving the area in a vehicle.
Officers with the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office and Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate Marksberry at a residence near Bennington in Switzerland County, where he was then taken into custody. He was transported to the Dearborn County Jail where he is being held pending the filing of formal charges.
The investigation is still ongoing.
