A local man has been arrested after allegedly shooting someone who was searching for a lost dog.
Henderson police charged 18-year-old Deandre Neblett, 1900 block of Country Drive, with first-degree assault—a class B felony.
Henderson Police Department Lt. John Nevels said officers had been searching for Neblett since the shooting which occurred just after 1 a.m. on Aug. 1 in the 1400 block of Cumnock Street.
Neblett turned himself in to police on Thursday, Aug. 8, officials said.
“Neblett was standing on the sidewalk when the victim drove his SUV down the street looking for his dog,” the detective told the Hendersonian.
The alleged suspect was visiting someone on Cumnock Street, Nevels said.
“(The victim) had to slow down to drive safely through the street and Neblett asked him who he was looking for,” Nevels said. “The victim said he was looking for his dog. The victim lives in the area, and that’s why he was searching for the animal on Cumnock Street.”
The HPD detective said there isn’t any evidence to indicate the victim and Neblett know each other.
For unknown reasons, Neblett became angry, Nevels said. He then allegedly produced a handgun and fired into the air, police said.
“Next, he pointed the gun at the SUV and shot multiple times into the victim’s vehicle,” the HPD lieutenant said. (Investigators declined to release the caliber of the gun.)
Authorities said the victim—who was alone in the vehicle—was struck in both legs by bullets.
“The victim took off … and got away from the shooter,” Nevels said. After being dispatched to the area, “police officers tracked (the victim) to his residence … It all happened pretty quick, and they were able to get him an ambulance.”
The victim was transported to the hospital and has since been released.
Meanwhile, Neblett fled the scene, but later turned himself in, officials said.
After his arrest, detectives attempted to interview him about the shooting.
“(Neblett) declined to make a statement,” Nevels said.
He is lodged at the Henderson County Detention Center.
