BEDFORD — A Bloomington man remains behind bars after being charged with the murder of Johnnie Grubb IV, 44, of Bedford, following a deadly shooting in May. Timothy B. Helton, 20, of Camby, was arrested after the shooting left Grubb dead and another man, Jeffery Crane, critically injured.
Helton was scheduled to appear in Lawrence County Superior Court II on Thursday, December 5, for a pretrial conference. The hearing has been postponed and rescheduled for January 16 at 1 p.m. before Judge Robert Cline. Helton’s murder trial is scheduled for February 28th at 8:00 a.m.
The Shooting Incident
On the morning of Saturday, May 18, 2024, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 500 block of Sunny Acres Lane, just southeast of Bedford. Deputies responded swiftly to the scene, where they found two male victims who had been shot.
Grubb was found inside the home, while Jeffery Crane, 49, of Mitchell, was discovered in the garage. Both victims were rushed to IU Health Bedford Hospital. Grubb was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Crane was transported by helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital for emergency surgery after suffering gunshot wounds to his chest and leg.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities quickly learned that the shooting had been captured on surveillance video, which provided crucial evidence. Grubb’s fiancé told police she had been inside the home with her two children when she heard gunshots. She reported that Grubb stumbled into the house and said to her that Crane had been shot as well.
Helton, who had fled the scene, was later tracked down with the help of his girlfriend’s vehicle. His cell phone was also pinged in the Unionville area in Monroe County, leading police to a home on Mt. Gilead Road. A short time later, law enforcement officers, including Indiana State Police, located and stopped the vehicle on the State Road 45/46 bypass near Fee Lane. Helton was detained.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a Ruger P95 9mm handgun under the passenger seat, loaded with 9mm ammunition. The handgun was later linked to the shooting incident.
Helton’s Account
During questioning, Helton initially denied knowing Grubb or Crane and denied being at the scene of the shooting. However, after being informed of the surveillance video, his story changed. Helton eventually admitted he had gone to Grubb’s home to retrieve a four-wheeler but was prevented from taking the vehicle by Grubb and Crane.
Helton explained that he returned to the property on May 18, only the second time he had met Grubb. He claimed he had gone to Grubb’s house to “get high” and had methamphetamine with him. When Grubb allegedly remarked Helton was carrying a firearm, Helton said he felt threatened and pulled out his gun. He stated that after firing the weapon, chaos ensued, and people began running.
Helton, who acknowledged being high on methamphetamine during the incident, said he could not remember how many times he fired but insisted he wasn’t specifically aiming for Grubb. “It ain’t like I shot him on purpose, well, I shot on purpose,” Helton reportedly said.
After the shooting, Helton fled the scene with a companion, 29-year-old Christopher Cecil, who was later identified as being with him. Cecil was arrested on a felony probation warrant and charged with possession of methamphetamine after being located in Greene County.
Charges Against Helton
Helton is facing multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, criminal recklessness, pointing a loaded firearm, and carrying a firearm without a license due to his prior felony conviction within the past 15 years.
