A party on the banks of White River in early April, featuring alcohol and fireworks, was disrupted when several officers showed up, causing people to run into the woods and hide. Alcohol was poured out on the scene. At least two people are facing charges.  

Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Coy, the lead investigator, reported he was dispatched around 10:38 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, when a caller contacted the sheriff’s department with a complaint of shooting in an area near West County Road 100 South, west of White River.

Deputies Zachary Goad and Davis Aerne and Bloomfield Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier were also dispatched.

The party was on the other side of the river from the caller.

When deputies arrived at 10:55 p.m.in an area on the east side of the river, southwest of Bloomfield, they found several vehicles parked near a field and a campfire farther down on the bank.

The officers first encountered a group of three who said they hadn’t heard any gunfire but had just arrived. They didn’t know how many people were at the gathering but they said when the group saw the headlights from the patrol vehicles coming up a service road, people took off toward the woods.

Deputy Coy reported that near the campfire, officers found artillery style fireworks on a large wooden spool, and several varieties of alcoholic beverages. They did not find any evidence to support gun fire in the area, just the fireworks.

One male individual was found hiding in the woods. He said he had not been drinking or firing any weapons.

The officers then took to the woods to canvas the area for other individuals in hiding. They found four people hiding behind a fallen tree.

The individuals that were located were given breath tests. Some blew a zero and said they had not been drinking. Others, who were underage, tested positive for alcohol consumption.

All parties were released from the scene – juveniles were released to parents who had been contacted.

Some juveniles could be facing charges but that information is not public record. Criminal charges have now been filed against two 19-year-olds.

Casey J. Norris, 19, of Bloomfield, and Josi Pigg, 19, of Linton, are facing preliminary charges of minor possession of alcohol, a Class C misdemeanor. Both will receive a summons to appear in Greene Superior Court on August 20 for their initial hearings.