Pekin man arrested on attempted murder charges
The following is a press release from the Indiana State Police - Sellersburg Post.
UPDATED JULY 28: Charges against Aaron Scott Wilson Thornberry, 33, of Pekin, have been updated to the following list:
Two counts of attempted murder, Level 1 felony
Burglary, Level 2 felony
Criminal confinement, Level 3 felony
Operating a loaded machine gun, Level 4 felony
Possession of a machine gun, Level 5 felony
Two counts of intimidation, Level 5 felony
Domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony
Domestic battery resulting in bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age, Level 5 felony
Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, Level 6 felony
Criminal recklessness, Level 6 felony
Pointing a firearm, Level 6 felony
Residential entry, Level 6 felony
Thornberry remains incarcerated at the Washington County Jail and is now being held on a $1 million cash bond.
ORIGINAL RELEASE BELOW
PEKIN, Ind. — The Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post is investigating an alleged battery and shooting that occurred late Sunday night and ended early Monday morning following a multi-county pursuit.
The incident began around 10:46 p.m. on July 26, 2026, when the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Sellersburg Post responded to a report of domestic battery and a shooting in the driveway of a residence on East Blankenbaker Road near Pekin.
As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that an altercation occurred between the suspect, identified as Aaron Scott Wilson Thornberry, 33, of Pekin, and a woman at the residence, who sustained visible injuries. A second woman arrived at the residence shortly after the altercation, at which time Thornberry allegedly fired multiple rounds, striking her as she pulled into the driveway. Thornberry then allegedly fled the scene in a black Ford Explorer prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
At the request of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police assumed the investigation, with Detective Travis Baker serving as lead investigator. The shooting victim was transported to University of Louisville Hospital. The second victim was transported to Ascension Saint Vincent Salem.
As the investigation at the original scene continued, it was revealed that Thornberry’s vehicle was observed by a Scott County officer on State Road 56 in Scott County. Officers attempted a traffic stop, and a pursuit ensued through Scott, Jefferson and Clark counties.
Troopers and Scott County officers successfully deployed stop sticks during the pursuit; however, Thornberry continued to flee. The pursuit ended after Trooper Jason Riley performed a PIT maneuver on State Road 62 near Marble Hill Road in Clark County, and the Explorer became stuck in a ditch on the side of the roadway. Thornberry was taken into custody without further incident.
Thornberry faces preliminary charges including two counts of attempted murder, Level 1 felony; criminal confinement, Level 3 felony; possession of a machine gun, Level 5 felony; operation of a machine gun, Level 4 felony; two counts of intimidation, Level 5 felony; two counts of domestic battery, Level 5 felony; and one count of domestic battery, Level 6 felony. He is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail.
Agencies assisting in the response, investigation and pursuit included the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Scottsburg Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Clark County officers.
This is an ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. All charges are preliminary and subject to formal filing.
“All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
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