A quiet residential neighborhood in Haubstadt, Gibson County was shaken by a horrific act of violence Thursday night, leaving three people dead, one person critically wounded, and a 77-year-old suspect under arrest. Authorities say the tragedy appears to be an isolated domestic incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Patrick Waite, a 77-year-old resident of Haubstadt, was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple counts of murder following the deadly shooting that unfolded on South Scottsdale Drive around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.
According to Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire at a home in the otherwise peaceful neighborhood. Deputies and emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they immediately took Waite into custody without incident.
“When officers arrived, they quickly secured the area and apprehended the suspect,” Sheriff Vanoven stated during a press briefing. “Upon clearing the home, three individuals were discovered deceased and one was found in critical condition. Four additional individuals inside the residence were unharmed but witnessed the shooting.”
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The critically injured individual was transported by emergency medical services to a nearby hospital and remains in grave condition, authorities confirmed.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but Sheriff Vanoven emphasized that the event was targeted and isolated, involving people known to each other. Law enforcement has not publicly disclosed the nature of the relationships between Waite and the victims, though neighbors and early reports suggest the shooting may have stemmed from a domestic or family dispute.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Vanoven assured the community. “We want to stress that there is no ongoing danger to residents in the area. The scene has been secured, and our investigation is ongoing with the assistance of multiple agencies.”
Among those responding and assisting in the investigation are the Indiana State Police, local detectives, and forensic units who have spent hours collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together a timeline of the deadly encounter.
Residents of Haubstadt, a small town known for its tight-knit community and relative calm, expressed disbelief and sorrow as news of the shooting spread.
“This just doesn’t happen here,” said one nearby neighbor who declined to be named. “We’ve always felt safe, but now there’s this sense of shock and loss that’s hard to put into words.”
Patrick Waite remains in custody at the Gibson County Jail, where he is expected to face formal charges in the coming days. A court appearance has not yet been scheduled, and it is unclear if he has retained legal counsel.
The scene on South Scottsdale Drive has become the focus of a major crime investigation, with law enforcement carefully examining what led to the deadly outbreak of violence. The four uninjured witnesses are being questioned and are expected to play a critical role in reconstructing the events that took place inside the home.
Local officials are encouraging anyone with information relevant to the case to contact the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office or Indiana State Police as they work to uncover the motive and circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
As the community mourns and families reel from the loss, the focus now turns to supporting the surviving victim, seeking justice for those lost, and understanding how such a devastating event could happen in the heart of Gibson County.
