BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (IUSTV News) – The Bloomington Police Department arrested a woman Friday on a murder charge, nearly two weeks after a man was found shot to death at a homeless encampment near the Wheeler Mission.
41-year-old Evelynn Kuuleilehaunani, who is unhoused, was taken into custody by officers near Basswood Drive.
On Jan. 9, police responded to and found 52-year-old Curtis Butler dead in a tent from an apparent gunshot wound.
In the nearly two weeks since the shooting, BPD says that witnesses told investigators that Kuuleilehaunani and Butler had been in a relationship.
On the day of the shooting, the pair were reportedly arguing outside of Butler’s tent, and witnesses told police Kuuleilehaunani had a gun.
Police say she allegedly held up the gun and fired a single round into the air, before lowering the gun and shooting into the tent.
Kuuleilehaunani then reportedly gathered her things and left the area.
“My sincere thanks to the Bloomington Police Department for their work in apprehending this suspect,” Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson posted in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We are grateful to the BPD for their critical role in our public safety.”
This was the second death at that homeless encampment since December.
Last month, 31-year-old Shaquille Phillips was found dead with what police said were injuries “consistent with being cut and/or struck by a sharp object.”
42-year-old Craig Pearson was arrested and charged with murder a short time later. He is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail.
