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Last updated on Monday, March 19, 2012
(DUGGER) - Three people were shot in the head in two separate shootings in Dugger Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the suspected shooter has been identified as 35-year-old Timothy Kean. Kean was released from the hospital early this morning and immediately arrested by Indiana State troopers. He was taken to the Sullivan County Jail and charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Indiana State Police Detectives say the shootings are related and appear to have started during a domestic dispute that happened earlier in the day. All of those involved are acquaintances.
Police received a 911call from the Uptown Tavern, at 8111 Main Street, at 3:32 a.m. Sunday reporting a shooting outside the bar.
ISP troopers and Sullivan County deputies found 39-year-old Patrick D. Ruff, of Jasonville, lying in a nearby parking area, adjacent to the tavern, with a gunshot wound to the head.
Inside the tavern, officers found 31-year-old LeighAnn Lovelace, of Linton, also suffering from a shotgun wound to the head.
Both victims were transported to Sullivan County Community Hospital and later airlifted to Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis. Ruff is listed in critical condition and Lovelace is listed in good condition and is expected to be released later today..
Seconds after the first two shootings, the suspect fired one round into the windshield of a vehicle traveling eastbound on Main Street in Dugger. The driver, James B. Gardner, of Elnora, confronted the shooter and then followed him to a home at 1024 South County Road 600 East, in Dugger. Gardner and Kean got into a fight and the shooter suffered a gunshot wound to the head. However, after further investigation and medical testing, he apparently received his wounds during the fight with Gardner.
Kean was taken to Sullivan County Community Hospital and then airlifted to IU Health Methodist Hospital. Gardner was not injured.
According to police, Gardner was arrested on preliminarily charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of Operating While Intoxicated, and one count of Operating While Intoxicated-Refusal.
Gardner is being held in the Sullivan County Jail on $38,000 bond.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
Timothy Kean
James B. Gardner
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