THPD: Shots fired in fight over woman at McDonald's lands 2 in jail

ICN file photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

 A Terre Haute Police Department investigation has netted two arrests after gunshots were fired outside a northside fast food restaurant in a fight over a woman early this morning 

Jesse Smith/ Vigo Co. Jail

• Jesse L. Smith, 39, of Terre Haute, was booked into the Vigo County around 10:45 a.m. He is charged with possession of a handgun by a felon, habitual traffic violator and criminal recklessness.

• His passenger, Roxanna L. Smith, 44, also of Terre Haute,  was booked into the Vigo County Jail just before 1 p.m. She is charged with assisting a criminal. 

Officers responded to the McDonald’s restaurant located in the 2100 block of  Lafayette Avenue on the report of shots fired just after 4 a.m.

Both suspects ultimately were taken  into custody later in the day at a residence in the 2800 block of Washington Street following a police search of the house.

"The driver was located hiding in the crawl space of the residence  The access to the crawl space had been covered from above with clothing and other items, " Assistant Chief Shawn Keen explained.

---

Roxanna Smith/ Vigo Co. Jail

​Investigators believe the shots fired are connected to an ongoing dispute between Jesse Smith and one of the male restaurant customers -- who also happens to be Roxanna Smith's ex-boyfriend,  Keen said,  noting that while the suspects share the same last name,  they have never been married, but are reported to be currently dating. 

The suspects were in a pick-up truck that had gone through the drive-thru before engaging in a dispute with the pedestrians at the scene.

Upon arrival, officers processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. Although several shots were fired, no injuries were reported.

"Shell casings were collected from the front of the restaurant and a single bullet was recovered between the glass pane of a west facing restaurant window," Keen said. 

According to witnesses, Jesse Smith brandished a gun and shots were then exchanged between the driver and one of the male restaurant patrons on foot. The suspects fled the scene in the truck northbound on Lafayette Avenue.  

The investigation is ongoing at this time and additional arrests in the case are possible.

---