Indiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Fatally Shooting Neighbor, Dog in Muncie

In Muncie, Indiana, Avery Caid Bowden, 28, was arrested and held without bond for fatally shooting his neighbor, 53-year-old Ronnie Lee West II, and West's dog. Bowden claimed self-defense, stating that West, who he described as intoxicated, attacked him with a rock and his dog, causing Bowden to first fire a warning shot into the ground before shooting West and the dog as they continued to charge. Police found no rock near the victim's body, and surveillance footage showed West running towards Bowden before falling to the ground, followed by the dog approaching Bowden. Bowden reported placing his firearm with the magazine removed near the front door after the shooting. Both the victim and the dog were pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy was conducted on West. Authorities are continuing the investigation, reviewing evidence including the security footage to clarify the events leading to the shooting.