BLOOMINGTON– On January 9, 2024, at approximately 1:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of
Wheeler Mission, located in the 200 block of S Westplex Avenue, for a report of a man
that had been shot. Upon arrival, bystanders directed officers to the wooded area behind
Wheeler Mission. Officers located a 52-year-old man inside a tent with what appeared to
be a gunshot wound. The man was deceased. Individuals in the area reported hearing
multiple gunshots just prior to calling 911.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses and were able to identify a suspect. It was
reported that the suspect, Evelynn L. Kuuleilehaunani (41, transient), had been in a
relationship with the victim. Witnesses reported that they heard the suspect and victim
arguing near the victim’s tent with Kuuleilehaunani standing outside the tent and the
victim inside the tent. Witnesses stated that they saw Kuuleilehaunani holding a revolver
during the argument. Further, Kuuleilehaunani reportedly raised the firearm above her
head and fired one round up into the air, then lowered the gun and fired multiple rounds
into the victim’s tent. The suspect then gathered her belongings and fled from the scene.
Others nearby reported that they entered the victim’s tent and immediately saw that he
had been shot.
Since January 9 th , investigators filed multiple affidavits with the Monroe County Circuit
Courts in an effort to locate the suspect. In the early morning hours of January 19th, it was
determined that the suspect was inside a residence in the 500 block of S Basswood Drive.
Officers began surveilling the residence and observed the suspect exit the residence and
begin walking southbound at approximately 1:00 a.m. Kuuleilehaunani was then
approached by officers and taken into custody without incident. After being interviewed
at the Bloomington Police Department by investigators, Evelynn L. Kuuleilehaunani
(DOB 05/12/1982) was transported to the Monroe County Jail and remanded for the charge of murder.
