PERU, Ind. — An 18-year-old from Peru has been charged for the shooting death of a Maconaquah High School senior Feb. 24.
Jeremiah Smith was taken into custody hours after police found 18-year-old Hanna Cox shot in a vehicle in Peru. He is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and pointing a firearm.
According to ISP Sgt. Tony Slocum, police responded to a home in the 2700 block of Capehart Street around 3:30 p.m. Thursday on a report of a possible shooting. Officers arriving on the scene found Cox, who was in a vehicle and suffering from a gunshot wound.
First responders attempted life-saving measures on Cox, but she died at the scene, police said.
Slocum told our partners at the Kokomo Tribune that Cox, who is a senior at Maconaquah High School, did not live at the residence where her body was found.
According to state police, evidence in the case led investigators to Smith's home near the shooting scene, and he was taken into custody without incident. Police said Cox was visiting Smith and evidence allegedly placed him inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred.
During his interview with state police, Smith said Cox went to his house to return his headphones. He said he got in her car and showed her a handgun, which he believed was unloaded and not working.
While he was trying to "fix" the handgun, Smith told police he removed the magazine and pointed it at Cox's right shoulder and said, "it don't work."
Smith told police he pulled the trigger, and the gun fired.
After the incident, Smith said he threw the gun and magazine under a bush, which officers located.
The school district announced Cox's death in a post on its Facebook page Thursday evening.
"This unexpected tragedy brings grief to so many, and as we come together to support one another, we ask our community to give the family space to grieve through this tragic event," the post reads.
According to Cox's obituary, a public visitation will be held Saturday, March 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at Fuel Church in Kokomo. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made in Cox's memory to Ellers Mortuary to support local skate parks.
The state police investigation into Cox's death is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Indiana State Police detectives at the department's Peru post at 1-800-382-0689 or 765-473-6666.