Share and Follow
Background: The 2400 block of Pennsylvania Street in Gary, Indiana (Google Maps). Inset: Charles Franklin (Gary Police Department).
In a tragic incident in Indiana, a man stands accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child, during a heated argument at their residence.
Charles Franklin, aged 26, is facing multiple charges, including murder, domestic battery in the presence of a minor under 16, and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, as indicated by court documents. He is currently detained at the Lake County Jail.
The confrontation took place on Monday at a house located in the 2400 block of Pennsylvania Street, where Franklin was with his 26-year-old girlfriend, Arrianna Miles, and their 11-month-old son. This information comes from a probable cause affidavit reviewed by the Post-Tribune.
During the argument, Miles reportedly considered evicting Franklin from their home, citing past issues such as infidelity. Franklin claims that during the altercation, Miles retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from a closet, leading to a physical struggle between them, after which the firearm discharged.
Following the incident, Franklin called 911, reporting that Miles had been shot. When questioned by the dispatcher about whether the shooting was deliberate, he reportedly paused before responding “no,” while Miles could be heard questioning, “Why would you do that?”
“I”m dying,” the shooting victim added, along with “take me outside” before she went silent, the affidavit states.
Gary police officers arrived at the home to find Miles on a sofa suffering from a gunshot wound, with a red stain in her abdomen area. “Please get him away from me,” she begged the officers, the Post-Tribune reported.
She was brought to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her autopsy revealed that she died from a close-range gunshot wound, and investigators were skeptical of Franklin’s story that she had been holding the gun when it went off.
For one, the gun was allegedly shot from a downward trajectory. Officers were also curious as to why five 12-gauge shotgun shells matching the one fired were found lying around the home.
Court records show Franklin also faces a domestic battery charge from April and an intimidation charge from May. He was scheduled to have an initial hearing in court on Thursday.