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Three Warsaw teens face charges in connection with a burglary July 2 and the accidental shooting of one of the suspects.
Tony Miller, a juvenile from Warsaw, told police he was robbed and shot in the leg by a Hispanic man in Warsaw in the late hours of July 2. But, investigating officers said they were suspicious of Miller's story because of the type of bullet wound he suffered.
A Warsaw police officer investigating the burglary of Miller's grandmother's house reported a small-caliber handgun was stolen from the home and questioned Miller about the incident.
According to police reports, Miller allegedly began to cry and admitted he accidentally shot himself in the leg with the gun taken from his grandmother's house on Union Street, Warsaw, earlier in the day.
Miller allegedly told police that he, Justin Vining, and Michael Miller broke into Mary Miller's house because they needed money. Then the three drove around the Silver Lake area, allegedly using the stolen gun to shoot at birds and stop signs.
Police used an anonymous tip to recover the gun and box of ammunition where the teens allegedly disposed of them at a site on CR 1200S.
Tony Miller made a written statement to police saying Michael Miller attempted to shoot at a bird on a fence when the gun apparently jammed. Tony then reportedly took the gun and it fired, hitting him in the left thigh. Doctors said the bullet exited through his leg, missing the bone and arteries.
Vining and Michael drove Tony to Kosciusko Community Hospital where he was treated for the gunshot wound. A hospital employee notified police that a shooting victim was treated.
According to police reports, charges of burglary/theft and false informing will be filed against Tony Miller. He was released to his family after he wrote police and his grandmother an apology for the incidents.
Vining, 18, of 610 S. Lake St., was booked into Kosciusko County Jail Friday afternoon and charged with burglary of a residence. He is being held on $10,000 bond. Michael Miller, 19, of 1025 Country Club, Warsaw, was booked into county jail Friday and charged with two counts of probation violation and one charge of burglary of a residence. He is being held on $10,470 bond.
