ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) – Zionsville police have not arrested anyone for the homicide of a 23-year-old jogger early Sunday morning, but court documents show the investigation is focused on the gun discovered near the rail trail crime scene. Police have tracked the gun to two men in Zionsville.
David Meschino Jr. bought the gun that was found in a wooded area near the Rail Trail at Don's Guns on Lafayette Road in Indianapolis on June 15, 2018. But Meschino says he bought that gun and two others on another occasion for James Hughes with Hughes' money and gave the guns to Hughes immediately after purchase.
Zionsville police matched the serial number of the handgun found near the trail to the Charter Arms Mag Pug .357 revolver Meschino purchased last summer. Court papers say that Meschino believed Hughes could not purchase a gun because of a felony conviction, although Hughes has only misdemeanor convictions on his record.
Police served a search warrant at Hughes' home in Zionsville on Tuesday and found the receipt for the revolver in Hughes' bedroom.
But Zionsville police have not arrested Hughes or said if his gun was used to kill 23-year-old jogger Samuel Bennett early Sunday morning. Police found no evidence that Bennett was robbed and have not released a motive of exact cause of death.
No one answered the door at Hughes' home in the Village Walk neighborhood Friday afternoon.
Meschino is charged with providing a firearm to an ineligible person. No one answered the door at his Walnut Hills House apartment Friday afternoon. Meschino's initial court hearing is scheduled Wednesday.
Visitation for Samuel Bennett begins Friday night A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services, 11411 N. Michigan Road from 6-9 p.m. and again Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Gleaners Food Bank or Achieve International.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Zionsville Police at 317-873-5967.