Authorities in Indiana are reviewing the death of a cleaning woman who was fatally shot after she and her husband mistakenly went to the wrong home before dawn. The case has drawn widespread attention as prosecutors weigh whether the state’s self-defense laws protect the shooter or warrant criminal charges.
Police identified the victim as 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velásquez, a Guatemalan immigrant and mother of four from Indianapolis. According to investigators, she and her husband, Mauricio Velásquez, were working as part of a cleaning crew on Wednesday morning when they arrived at a home in the Heritage subdivision of Whitestown, believing it was their scheduled job site.
The couple reportedly checked the address twice before approaching the front door. As they stood on the porch searching for a key, one of the two residents inside the home fired a single shot through the door, striking Rios Perez in the head. Police later confirmed there was no evidence of a break-in attempt. Officers found her husband on the porch and immediately attempted lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the residents had called 911 moments earlier to report a possible burglary in progress. The Boone County Coroner’s Office ruled Rios Perez’s death a homicide. The findings of the initial investigation have been turned over to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Prosecutor Kent Eastwood described the matter as complex, noting that Indiana’s “castle doctrine,” part of the state’s stand-your-ground law, allows residents to use reasonable and in some circumstances deadly force to protect themselves from perceived intruders. Eastwood said his office would evaluate whether the evidence supports any charges once all facts are reviewed in context with the law.
The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department emphasized that the case remains “delicate and evolving.” Investigators have not released the names of the homeowners, nor specified which one fired the weapon.
Family members of Rios Perez described her as devoted to her husband and four children, who range in age from 17 years to 11 months. Loved ones said she worked tirelessly to support her family and had been a long-time resident of Indianapolis. At a memorial held in her honor, relatives expressed their grief and called for accountability, describing her death as an unnecessary tragedy.
Her husband, who witnessed the shooting, said the couple believed they were at the correct address. He recounted the moment she was shot, holding her as she collapsed. Relatives said the family has struggled to explain the incident to the children, who remain in the care of extended family members.
Community members have drawn comparisons between the Whitestown case and other recent incidents across the United States in which homeowners have opened fire on people who mistakenly approached the wrong property. Such cases have renewed debate over the interpretation of self-defense laws and the balance between protecting one’s home and ensuring the safety of individuals who pose no threat.
As prosecutors determine how to proceed, police have confirmed that no charges have yet been filed. Officials said they intend to handle the case with care, citing both the seriousness of the loss and the legal complexities involved. However, Mauricio Velásquez was dismayed that the shooter remained free.
