Darlington-Yesterday evening at approximately 9:22 p.m, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call of a subject beaten with a gun at 2604 north 950 east near Darlington, IN.

Upon arrival of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, they discovered a subject lying on the ground unresponsive.  While administering first aid, it was discovered that the subject had been shot.  Information was received from a witness that a second subject had fled the scene in a two-toned 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck possibly heading to an address of 5680 north 901 east in Brownsburg, IN.  The first subject later died from the injuries.

The Sheriff’s Department contacted the Indiana State Police at Lafayette to take the lead in the investigation.  Trooper Detectives of the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division responded.  Upon investigation by the Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police and the processing of evidence by Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technician Sergeant Jim Cody, a search warrant of the residence in Brownsburg and arrest warrant for the second subject was issued by the Montgomery County Prosecutor Joe Buser. 

Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department was advised of the location and that the second subject possibly was armed.  At approximately 4:30 a.m. Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Indiana State Police executed a search warrant for said residence and for the arrest of Matthew Eric Hickman, 39 years old who resides at the residence.

Hendricks County entered the residence and took Hickman into custody without incident and he was then transported to Montgomery County Jail on a warrant for Murder and Aggravated Battery.  Hickman is being held on a no bond order.  The investigation is continuing.

The victim has been identified as Mark J. Welch, 51 years old who resided at the location of the shooting.  An autopsy will be performed later today or tomorrow.  Family has been notified.  No other information will be released at this time.  The investigation is continuing.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.