Hunter Blaine Rowley, age 17, of Pekin, Indiana, passed away on June 13, 2026.
Hunter was born on September 15, 2008, in Corydon, Indiana, to Rebecca Rowley-Thomas. He worked as a farm hand for Sunny Acres Stables in Greenville, Indiana, where he enjoyed spending time outdoors and caring for the farm.
Hunter loved playing video games, listening to music, fishing, and working outside. More than anything, he cherished spending time with his family and friends. Hunter had a kind heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His caring nature, loyalty, and willingness to help others will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his papaw, Jeffrey Blaine Rowley.
Hunter leaves behind to cherish his memory his mother, Rebecca Rowley-Thomas; his sister, Emily Rowley; his grandmother, Claudia Rowley; his aunt, Samantha Rowley; his cousin, Abigail Fossee; his uncle, Jeffrey (Jessica) Rowley; and his cousins, Nic and Hannah Rowley, along with many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Love Funeral Home in Palmyra, Indiana.
Funeral services will be held immediately following visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Though Hunter’s time on earth was far too short, the love, kindness, and memories he shared with those around him will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
Washington County Superior Court Judge Dustin Houchin set the bail on four individuals charged in the killing of 17-year-old Hunter B Rowley at $1 million cash bond each.
A pre-trial meeting is set for July 27 and the trial is tentatively scheduled for October 20.
Three suspects were arrested on June 15th and 16th in connection to the shooting —
Jessica Lambert, 35, of Pekin, Indiana — arrested on probable cause on Tuesday, June 16 and charged with intimidation (Level 6 felony) and false informing.
Kendall Cline, 20, of Salem, Indiana — arrested Monday, June 15th and charged with intimidation (Level 6 felony) and dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance (Level 6 felony).
• Ethan D. Edison, 22, of Salem, Indiana — arrested Tuesday, June 16th and charged with intimidation (Level 5 felony), dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance (Level 6 felony), and pointing a firearm (Level 6 felony).
Lambert’s son, Isaiah, 20, of Salem, was arrested on June 17th and charged initially with Intimidation, Dealing in a schedule I II or III controlled substance, Pointing loaded firearm at another person, Attempted murder and Murder.
Isaiah turned himself in at the Washington County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued through the Washington County Superior Court.
During the initial hearing this afternoon, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Tara Coats Hunt said Lambert had shaved his head after the incident and fled to Kentucky before turning himself in.
Following a hearing held today, all charges were formally amended to the following:
Isaiah Lambert charges —
Murder
Murder, a Felony
Attempted Murder
Attempted Murder, a Felony
Intimidation, Level 5 Felony
Dealing in Schedule I-III Controlled Substance, Level 6 Felony
Pointing a Firearm at Another Person, Level 6 Felony
Isaiah Lambert remains incarcerated at the Washington County Jail and is currently held on $1 million cash bond.
The following are new charges for the three who had been arrested previously.
Jessica D. Lambert, 35, of Salem
Aiding Murder
Aiding Murder, a Felony
Aiding Attempted Murder
Aiding Intimidation, Level 5 Felony
False Informing, Level 5 Felony
Aiding Dealing in Schedule I–III Controlled Substance, Level 6 Felony
Kendall N. Cline, 20, of Salem
Aiding Murder
Aiding Murder, a Felony
Aiding Attempted Murder
Intimidation, Level 6 Felony
Dealing in Schedule I-III Controlled Substance, Level 6 Felony
Ethan D. Edison, 22, of Salem
Aiding Murder
Aiding Murder, a Felony
Aiding Attempted Murder
Intimidation, Level 5 Felony
Dealing in Schedule I-III Controlled Substance, Level 6 Felony
Pointing a Firearm at Another Person, Level 6 Felony
The Initial Encounter and Robbery
According to the investigation, and as outlined in the probable cause affidavit, the events of June 13 allegedly stemmed from a drug-related robbery that occurred earlier in the evening at a residence near Salem involving suspected THC vape cartridges.
Approximately two hours later, those involved in the incident again encountered each other near Big Springs Church, where shots were fired and 17-year-old Hunter Rowley was struck.
Rowley’s pickup left the roadway and overturned in a wooded area, where first responders located the vehicle and found him critically injured. He died a short time later at the scene.
Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed electronic communications, and examined home security video as part of the ongoing investigation, ultimately identifying those believed to be involved and leading to the arrests and charges now filed in this case.
According to police records, the incident began when Rowley and an unnamed witness drove a blue Ford Ranger to meet Isaiah Lambert, and his girlfriend, Kendall “Blake” Cline, 20, to purchase a shoebox full of “carts,” a common term for THC vape cartridges.
When Lambert and Cline requested payment via Cash App, Rowley provided a fake account, and allegedly pulled a gun on Lambert, took the drugs, and drove away.
According to police, shortly after the robbery, Cline sent a Snapchat message to a friend stating that Rowley had robbed her boyfriend at gunpoint and “was going to die”.
Rowley, realizing the danger, told his passenger to lock the doors and that they were heading to his house.
The Pursuit
According to Indiana State Police information, security camera footage from the Salem home of Lambert’s grandmother on Bee Line Road, captured the immediate aftermath of the robbery at approximately 6:25 PM.
After Rowley’s truck fled the driveway, Lambert and his friend, Ethan D. Edison, 22, were seen in the yard, with Edison pointing a firearm in the direction of the fleeing vehicle.
The footage then shows a chaotic scene as Lambert, Cline, Edison, and Lambert’s mother, 35-year-old Jessica D. Lambert, scrambled to vehicles to chase the teens.
Audio from the security cameras picked up someone saying, “We’re taking your car” and “Don’t worry about it”.
According to Edison’s later statements to police, Jessica Lambert urged her son to pursue Rowley, allegedly saying, “no, f*** that don’t need to be relaxing. Let’s go get him”.
The group split into two vehicles: a gray Pontiac driven by Jessica Lambert with Isaiah and Cline as passengers, and a bronze Toyota Venza driven by Edison.
The Shootout and Crash
Rowley and his passenger encountered the two pursuing cars waiting near the Big Springs Church, just about 9 miles south of Salem.
According to the passenger, Isaiah Lambert pointed a firearm at their vehicle, prompting Rowley to shoot first.
Lambert and the other individuals returned fire with at least one bullet striking Rowley.
A woman cleaning the church at the time reported hearing two vehicles pull into the parking lot, followed by approximately six gunshots between 7:15 PM and 7:20 PM
Ford Ranger subsequently ran off the roadway and crashed into the woods, ending up on its side with bullet holes in the windshield.
The friend in the vehicle, which Police only identify as Witness 1, crawled out of the vehicle and sought help.
First responders were dispatched at 6:50 PM following a 911 call about an inverted vehicle with entrapment, and Rowley was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Investigation and Arrests
When questioned by detectives, Jessica Lambert initially claimed she was unaware of the robbery and was simply giving her son a calm, relaxed ride to meet a friend.
However, when confronted with the security footage contradicting her story, she became visibly emotional and requested an attorney.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
Today, at an initial hearing, Judge Dustin Houchin set the bond for all four defendants at $1 million cash.
The two male defendants, Isaiah Lambert and Ethan Edison, were represented by private attorneys, while the two female defendants, Jessica Lambert and Kendall Cline, will be provided with court-appointed legal representation.
A pre-trial conference for all four suspects is scheduled for July 27, with a preliminary trial date set for October 20.
As Indiana State Police detectives continue their work in this active investigation, the Indiana StatePolice would like to acknowledge and thank the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana DNR Conservation Officers, the Salem Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance and cooperation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
At approximately 2:38 p.m. on June 19, 2026, Indiana StatePolice troopers responded to a reported shooting on northbound Interstate 65 near the 27‑mile marker, a few miles south of Scottsburg in Scott County.
Following the initial investigation, the driver of a 2026 Ford Maverick, identified as James Camden Dowdell, 28, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, was arrested for attempted murder, a Level 1 Felony. Dowdell was transported to the Scott County Jail.
The initial call was received by Scott County Dispatch. Officers with the Scottsburg Police Department, deputies with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and Indiana StatePolice troopers arrived on scene within minutes.
The preliminary investigation indicates the shooting stemmed from an apparent road rage incident , and all parties involved remained at the scene following the event.
Investigators determined that the male driver of a white 2025 Mazda passenger car had been shot by the driver of the Maverick truck after both vehicles came to a stop in the left lane of the roadway.
The driver who was shot was transported by Scott County EMS to Norton Scott Hospital before being flown to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, with life‑threatening injuries. His identity is not being released at this time; however, his family has been notified.
Indiana StatePolice troopers and detectives have assumed the investigation, which remains ongoing. All parties involved in the incident are accounted for, and there is no ongoing danger to the public.
As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This remains an active investigation. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Leaving the scene of an accident
Criminal Mischief
Operating a vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator
Inmates booked into the Detention Center within the last 24 hours.
BOWMAN, CONNOR
Booking #:
SCJAIL:2026-000362
Booking Date:
06-17-2026 – 4:01 am
Charges:
IC 35-42-2-1.3(a)MA ~ DOMESTIC BATTERY
IC 35-42-2-9 ~ STRANGULATION
IC 35-42-2-1.3(b)(2)FL6 ~ DOMESTIC BATTERY – COMMITTED IN PRESENCE OF CHILD LESS THAN 16 YEARS
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of marijuana hash oil hashish or salvia
Possession of paraphernalia
Maintaining a common nuisance
Possession of a controlled substance
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of methamphetamine with firearm
Possession of marijuana hash oil hashish or salvia
Possession of paraphernalia
Maintaining a common nuisance
Possession of a controlled substance
Two women and a male were arrested this week in connection with the Saturday evening shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Blaine Rowley of Pekin, Indiana.
The IndianaStatePolice has made the following arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation into the June 13 suspected shooting and vehicle crash in Washington County:
• Jessica Lambert, 35, of Pekin, Indiana — arrested on probable cause on Tuesday, June 16, 2026; charges: intimidation (Level 6 felony) and false informing.
• Kendall Cline, 20, of Salem, Indiana — arrested Monday, June 15, 2026; charges: intimidation (Level 6 felony) and dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance (Level 6 felony).
• Ethan D. Edison, 22, of Salem, Indiana — arrested Tuesday, June 16, 2026; charges: intimidation (Level 5 felony), dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance (Level 6 felony), and pointing a firearm (Level 6 felony).
Both Cline and Edison were arrested on warrants issued through Washington County.
All three individuals were incarcerated at the Washington County Jail, where they are being held without bail.
This case remains active and ongoing.
To protect the integrity of the investigation, only limited information is being released at this time.
Additional arrests or charges may occur as the investigation moves forward.
All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Charges are allegations and may be amended.
Detectives from the IndianaStatePolice Sellersburg Post continue to actively investigate the June 13 incident in Washington County. Investigators are processing evidence and conducting interviews as the case moves forward.
According to the dispatch from Washington County EMS, Emergency services were toned out to 8158 South Big Springs Road in Pekin at 6:56pm to investigate the motor vehicle accident.
After arriving on scene, deputies requested assistance from the Indiana State Police.
Indiana State Police detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded and began the initial investigation.
Evidence was collected at the scene, and detectives are working to determine the circumstances leading up to both the shooting and the subsequent vehicle crash.
Rowley was found in his vehicle just Southeast and around the corner from Big Springs Church, where police indicated Saturday evening was being treated as a crime scene.
