Indiana State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, resulting in the death of 26-year-old Juan Antonio Gutierrez of Pekin.
Another man who was at the residence at the time of the shooting, 22-year-old Phillip James Hawkins, of Pekin, has been arrested and has been booked into the Washington County Jail.
Hawkins has been charged with one count of Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony.
Around 1:30 Thursday morning, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting on the 9000 block of Bush Road near Pekin, Indiana.
When officers arrived, they found Juan Gutierrez had been shot with a handgun and was unresponsive.
Officers and emergency personnel immediately began lifesaving measures and Gutierrez was transported by ambulance to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Salem.
Tragically, however, Gutierrez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Indiana State Police detectives and a crime scene investigator were requested and responded to investigate.
As part of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant and collected physical evidence at the scene.
Investigators also conducted interviews with those at the residence, including Philip James Hawkins.
As a result of the preliminary investigation, Investigators arrested Philip James Hawkins, 22, of Pekin, Indiana.
Hawkins is charged with one count of Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony.
Hawkins was arrested and incarcerated at the Washington County Jail without further incident.
This is an ongoing investigation.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025.
The family of the deceased has been notified.
