WHITESTOWN, IN – A house cleaner was shot and killed on a homeowner’s front porch after arriving at the wrong address for a scheduled cleaning job, prompting an investigation into whether criminal charges will be filed.
Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez, 32, died Wednesday after being shot in the head while attempting to enter a residence in Whitestown. Police responded to the scene and found her suffering from a gunshot wound on the front porch.
According to authorities, the homeowner discharged a firearm from inside the house as de Velasquez attempted to enter. Investigators determined that the victim and her husband, who accompanied her to the job, were legitimately part of a cleaning crew and had arrived at the wrong address by mistake.
The victim’s husband disputed suggestions that the couple failed to verify the address, stating “he checked the address twice before approaching” the home. Police confirmed that the couple was not attempting a break-in and posed no threat to the homeowner.
The Boone County Coroner’s Office ruled de Velasquez’s death a homicide. The designation means her death was caused by another person but does not automatically indicate criminal wrongdoing. Whitestown Metropolitan Police completed their investigation and forwarded the case to Boone County prosecutors, who will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
The homeowner has not been publicly identified and has not been criminally charged in connection with the shooting. Indiana has a “stand your ground” law that allows homeowners to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in danger, though the law does not provide blanket immunity from prosecution.
Whitestown police issued a statement addressing rumors circulating on social media, specifically denying claims that the homeowner is a local police officer. “No officer resides at or has any personal connection to the location of the incident,” the department stated.
The case has raised questions about the use of deadly force when homeowners perceive a threat. Legal experts note that prosecutors will likely examine whether the homeowner had a reasonable belief that de Velasquez posed an imminent danger, given that she was on the front porch and attempting to enter for what she believed was a scheduled cleaning appointment.
De Velasquez’s death highlights the tragic consequences that can result from miscommunication and mistaken addresses. Cleaning services and other home-based businesses often rely on accurate address information provided by clients, and errors can lead to workers arriving at the wrong location.
The investigation continues as prosecutors review the evidence to determine whether the shooting was legally justified under Indiana’s self-defense statutes or if criminal charges should be filed against the homeowner.
Community members have expressed shock over the incident, with many questioning why the homeowner chose to fire through the door rather than calling police or verbally warning the person outside.
