Murder charge filed in Hunter Rowley death investigation; other charges amended
- Jacob Dufour | Publisher
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
A 20-year-old Salem man is now facing murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the June 13 shooting and vehicle crash that left 17-year-old Hunter Rowley dead, according to an updated release from Indiana State Police.
Isaiah J. Lambert, 20, of Salem, turned himself in Wednesday, June 17, at the Washington County Jail on an arrest warrant issued through Washington County Superior Court.
At the time of his surrender, Lambert was initially wanted on charges of intimidation, dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance, and pointing a firearm. Following his initial hearing, those charges were formally amended to the offenses listed in the probable cause affidavit.
Lambert is now charged with:
Murder
Murder, a felony
Attempted murder
Attempted murder, a felony
Intimidation, a Level 5 felony
Dealing in a Schedule I-III controlled substance, a Level 6 felony
Pointing a firearm at another person, a Level 6 felony
He remains incarcerated at the Washington County Jail.
The announcement marks the latest development in the Indiana State Police investigation into the June 13 shooting and crash in Washington County that resulted in Rowley’s death.
Indiana State Police also announced that charges have now been formally amended for three other individuals previously arrested in the case.
Jessica D. Lambert, 35, of Salem, is now charged with:
Aiding murder
Aiding murder, a felony
Aiding attempted murder
Aiding intimidation, a Level 5 felony
False informing, a Level 5 felony
Aiding dealing in a Schedule I-III controlled substance, a Level 6 felony
Kendall N. Cline, 20, of Salem, is now charged with:
Aiding murder
Aiding murder, a felony
Aiding attempted murder
Intimidation, a Level 6 felony
Dealing in a Schedule I-III controlled substance, a Level 6 felony
Ethan D. Edison, 22, of Salem, is now charged with:
Aiding murder
Aiding murder, a felony
Aiding attempted murder
Intimidation, a Level 5 felony
Dealing in a Schedule I-III controlled substance, a Level 6 felony
Pointing a firearm at another person, a Level 6 felony
According to Indiana State Police, the events of June 13 allegedly began with a drug-related robbery earlier that evening at a residence near Salem involving suspected THC vape cartridges.
Investigators allege that roughly two hours later, the individuals involved in that earlier incident encountered one another again near Big Springs Church, where shots were fired and Rowley was struck.
Police said Rowley’s pickup truck then left the roadway and overturned in a wooded area. First responders located the vehicle and found Rowley critically injured. He died a short time later at the scene.
Indiana State Police said detectives have interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed electronic communications, and examined home security video as part of the investigation. Those efforts, according to ISP, helped investigators identify the individuals believed to have been involved and led to the arrests and charges now filed in the case.
State police said the investigation remains active. In its latest update, ISP thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, Salem Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service for assisting in the investigation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Charges are allegations, and may be amended as the case proceeds through the court system.