Sullivan County—Indiana State Police Detectives from the Putnamville Post, along with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating two separate shooting incidents in the Dugger area which sent three victims to Indianapolis Methodist Hospital. The shootings were related and appeared to have originated over a domestic dispute that occurred earlier in the evening.

Preliminary investigation revealed at 3:32 AM this morning, Sullivan County Dispatch Center received a 911 call from the Uptown Tavern at 8111 Main Street in Dugger, reporting an alleged shooting that occurred outside the establishment. Responding troopers and deputies found 39-year-old Patrick D. Ruff of Jasonville, IN. lying wounded in a nearby parking area, adjacent to the tavern. Ruff appeared to be suffering from a shotgun wound to the head. Inside the tavern, officers found 31-year-old LeighAnn Lovelace of Linton, IN. also suffering from a shotgun wound to the head. Lovelace is believed to have been shot by the suspect outside the tavern. Both victims were transported to Sullivan County Community Hospital and later airlifted to Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis for treatment of serious to critical gunshot wounds.

Seconds after the initial shootings of Ruff and Lovelace, the alleged male shooter is believed to have fired one round into the windshield of an unrelated passing vehicle traveling eastbound on Main Street in Dugger. The male driver of the passing vehicle, identified as James B. Gardner, age 24, of Elnora, IN, confronted the alleged shooter and followed the suspect to a residence at 1024 South County Road 600 East, Dugger. 

During the confrontation at the rural home, Gardner is alleged to have battered the suspected shooter.  The suspected shooter was taken to Sullivan County Community Hospital and later airlifted to Methodist Hospital for non-life threatening head trauma.  His name will not be released at this time per Indiana State Police regulations on releasing the names of suspects.

Gardner was not injured, and has been preliminarily charged with one count of Battery Resulting Serious Bodily Injury, Class B felony, one count of Operating While Intoxicated, and one count of Operating While Intoxicated-Refusal. Gardner is being held in the Sullivan County Jail on $38,000 bond, no 10%. 

The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available. Those involved are said to be acquaintances, except for the passing motorist. No information related to the suspected shotgun will be released.

Assisting is the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.