BEDFORD — A Bedford man will appear in Lawrence County Superior Court I at 1:00 p.m. today to face charges following a shooting incident on Monday, September 30, that resulted in the death of another man.
Adam Toru Machida, 34, was arrested on felony charges of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon after allegedly shooting William ‘Matthias’ Boggs at a residence on 711 I Street. Machida has a prior conviction for armed robbery.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Detective Major Kye Louden of the Bedford Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a male shot in the head around 6 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Boggs lying in a bathtub with a gunshot wound to his temple, covered with a towel. Emergency medical services were called, but Boggs was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses at the scene, including Courtney Blackwell and her three children, reported that Machida had kicked open the bathroom door and fired multiple shots at Boggs. Blackwell told police she was in the bathroom with Boggs when she heard the gunshots but wasn’t sure how many shots were fired.
She said Machida kicked in the door, causing it to hit her in the head. Machida pointed the gun in the bathroom and fired shots at Boggs. Blackwell said she yelled for her children to exit the home. After William was shot, he fell, and Machida ran out of the residence.
Blackwell advised police that she had checked on Boggs and her children before calling 911.
A female neighbor received messages from Machida. He messaged, “I just shot him.“
Detectives quickly located Machida’s red SUV using Flock camera technology. He was apprehended without incident by officers from the Indiana State Police and Brownstown. During an inventory of his vehicle, police discovered two firearms, which have since been taken into evidence. One was allegedly used to kill Boggs. His SUV was towed to Lawrence County so the Indiana State Police could process it.
In an audio/video interview, Machida said he and Blackwell had been dating but split up. She was moving out and had not been at his home for a few days. He said he was carrying a gun because he “had a feeling that something was going to happen.” He received a message that Blackwell and Boggs were inside his home. He left work and returned to his home on I Street. He entered the side door and found Blackwell and Boggs in the bathroom.
Machida admitted to firing shots through the bathroom door, claiming he was aware he was targeting Boggs.
Machida told police he kicked the door open, but it didn’t open. At that time, he pointed the firearm in the bathroom and said he could have killed Blackwell, but he chose to shoot to the side of her and hit Boggs. He told police he wasn’t sure how many shots were fired but said he knew he struck Boggs because he heard him fall.
Machida told police he fled through the front door, got into his SUV, and drove down State Road 58 and through county roads. He made it to US 50 and was headed toward Brownstown when he was stopped.
Machida was placed in the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff and is currently awaiting further legal proceedings. The Bedford Police Department continues to investigate the case, and the Indiana State Police will assist with the autopsy of the victim.
