Indiana State Police say the gun used to murder a Milan woman was purchased illegally by a juvenile. Investigators released new information on the death of 68-year- old Nancy Hershman, who was shot in her home on Sunday, December 30th.
22-year-old Allison Moore and two juveniles from Colerain Township are charged in connection with Hershman's death. They were arrested Saturday afternoon in Colerain Township. Investigators say they were driving around, looking to break into a home.
The Ripley County Prosecutor says there were two additional people in the car-an adult and a juvenile. They are not facing charges.
The group allegedly broke into another house in Cross Plains, Indiana hours before Hershman's death. They took $600 in cash and a small amount of marijuana. The victim of that robbery thought he recognized one of the suspects as someone who did work for him at his home. That tip led to police to the suspects.
The gun used in the murder-a .40 caliber handgun, was purchased illegally two days after Christmas by one of the juveniles, according to the prosecutor. The prosecutors says Moore fired the fatal shot at Hershman's head after the group kicked in Hershman's door and struggled with Hershman.
Local 12 News Reporter Adam Clements spoke with Hershman's friends on Sunday evening.
Connie Branigan was a friend of Nancy's. "She was a wonderful person. She going to be greatly missed. She was a devoted friend."
The Branigan's say Hershman was what the small town of Milan is all about.. a true giver in every sense of the word. "She lived to serve..and she did it well."
"She just liked to be busy. She liked to be active. She liked to be helping people."
News that three arrests have been made in connection to the 68 year old's murder brings a sense of comfort to a town that has been rattled by the tragedy. "Those things just don't happen. But we all know that it can and in this case it did and then people became fearful."
Says Bob Branigan, "You hope that some good can come out of this tragedy and the good would be that people start looking out more for their neighbor and for themselves and double checking to make sure the car's locked or the door's locked."
Police say the murder was a random act but open that's left a large void in this tight knit town. "She was always there for everybody. She loved her family. She loved her friends and she loved her community."
