Hancock County – Officials from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department say one of their jail officers has been arrested in Marion County and charged with reckless homicide.
The incident happened in early May, however charges were not officially filed until Friday, June 1 following a lengthy investigation.
Officials say Eric Salinas, 21, went home to his Indianapolis residence after his shift on May 8 and accidentally shot his roommate, Austin Bunn, 19, in the head with his department issued handgun, resulting in the roommate’s death.
After an investigation by officials from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, a warrant was issued for Salinas last week for Reckless Homicide in the accidental shooting death of Bunn on May 8.
The shooting, officials say, took place in the 7800 block of Carlton Arms Drive, Indianapolis. A surety bond is set at $15,000. Salinas has officially been charged with a Level 5 felony.
Salinas and his attorney arranged his surrender Monday, June 5. He is now in custody in the Marion County Jail. His case was opened in Marion County Superior Court 21.
Salinas was employed as a jail officer with the HCSD agency and has been on paid administrative leave since the day of the shooting.
“This is incident was a tragedy,” Capt. Robert Harris of the HCSD said in a release. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family.”
Officials from the HCSD say they will continue to work with the IMPD and will refer all questions regarding this case to their department.
