FORT RITNER —The Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office has released the probable cause affidavit for Casey Brown’s arrest.
Brown, accused of murdering 21-year-old Kobe Stancombe of Bedford, appeared in Lawrence County Superior Court I before Judge John Plummer III for his initial hearing Monday afternoon, and a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.
While heavily guarded, 38-year-old Brown was given a device to help hear and answer questions. Brown shot himself during a stand-off with officers at the Hucks in Paoli on Saturday, February 25.
Brown is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and criminal confinement. He is being held in the Lawrence County Jail without bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Saturday, February 24, at 5:20 a.m. Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a call from a vehicle identified as 21-year-old Haley Lee. She reported Kobe Stancomb was found deceased.
Deputies Bailey Duprey, Clifford Pruett, Josh Rhoades, and Shaun Cabral arrived at the scene and spoke to 30-year-old Halley Wade, who was inside the vehicle when Brown shot and killed Stancomb. Police found Stancomb dead in a driveway on Fort Ritner Road. She told police Brown had fled the scene before the police arrived.
Wade told police Brown shot Stancomb inside a black 4-door Jeep Wrangler. She said Brown was with Bradley Harper, who was driving. They were last seen traveling south on Fort Ritner Road toward River Road.
The crime scene was secured, and other officers were alerted to look for the Jeep Wrangler. Stancomb’s body was transported to the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office, and an autopsy was scheduled for the next day.
Detective Sergeant Michael Ramos arrived on the scene. Wade was transported to her father’s home on Grindstone Hollow Road, and her clothing was collected for evidence.
Deputy Cabaral went to East Kenray Lake Road and spoke with a relative of 39-year-old Bradley Harper, who could identify the vehicle in which Brown and Harper had fled and a telephone number for Harper. Police then began to ping the cell phone. Police believed Harper could be in danger.
Surrounding agencies were notified of the location where the cell phone was pinging.
Officers with the Paoli Police Department found the vehicle at the Hucks station at 812 West Main Street and surrounded the Jeep.
The driver, identified as Bradley Harper, surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. However, the passenger, identified as Casey Brown, refused to exit. An hours-long stand-off ensued.
Officers from Orleans, Paoli, West Baden, French Lick, Orange County, Lawrence County, and Indiana State Police responded to the scene. Negotiations were started by officers on the scene. The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team responded. They attempted to negotiate and utilized numerous less lethal techniques, including deploying pepper balls and gas canisters into the vehicle. However, Brown, who was displaying a firearm, continued to disregard commands and refused to surrender.
Brown then shot himself. He was transported to IU Health Paoli Hospital and then flown to the University of Louisville Hospital.
A search warrant was requested for Brown’s clothing, which Lawrence County Superior Court II Judge Bob Cline signed. Indiana State Trooper Eric Russell secured the clothing. The vehicle was placed underneath a tarp and secured by the Indiana State Police. The Jeep was transported to the Lawrence County Compound for processing. A search warrant was signed by Judge Cline to image, document, and collect evidence involved in the incident. Detective Andrea Barnett was present for the execution of the search warrant along with Indiana State Police technicians.
Harper was transported to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. He told police he was waiting for Brown at Brown’s home and that he had known Brown since they were children. He said Brown got into his Jeep and was in the front seat. They then picked up Stancomb and Wade. He said he was drinking alcohol, and Brown was “rambling nonsense.” He told police Brown kept asking him if he was sleeping with his wife. Brown, Stancomb, and Wade got out of the vehicle and entered the garage. Harper stayed in the Jeep. The three then returned to the Jeep. Brown told Stancomb and Wade to exit the vehicle, but they refused. Brown then began counting down and unholstered his gun from a chest holster.
Brown then shot Stancomb. Who then slumped over in the back seat. Wade began to scream and exited the Jeep. Brown began firing shots at her as she ran from the vehicle.
Harper grabbed Brown’s arm to prevent Wade from being shot. Brown continued to yell at Stancomb to get out of the vehicle. He then shoved Stancomb out of the jeep and kicked him. Brown then got back into the Jeep and told Harper to drive. Harper put the Jeep in reverse, and Brown stopped pointing the gun at Harper and placed the handgun in his lap. Harper stopped the Jeep at a dead end and attempted to talk to Brown. Harper then noticed he got a 911 text on his cellphone, and he didn’t answer it, so he threw the phone under the seat. Brown told Harper he wanted to return to his house, but Harper told Brown he needed gas. Harper then noticed the police vehicles, and the officer pulled in behind them at Huck’s station and began ordering them out of the vehicle.
Brown told Harper to ‘just go,” and Harper exited the vehicle.
