An Indiana man who allegedly attempted suicide after shooting a woman who tried to end their relationship has been arrested for murder.
Steeve Chavannes, 47, was hospitalized after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. When he awoke to police over his bed asking what had happened, he responded, “I shot my wife,” according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.
According to police, Chavannes had a friend drive him to the home of Evelie LaCroix, who had previously ordered Chavannes to leave her home. He had apparently stated that he wanted to retrieve some of his belongings.
According to police, LaCroix, whose age was not disclosed, had a protection order against Chavannes.
When the two men arrived at LaCroix’s home on June 28, the friend was greeted by her daughter, who informed them that her mother was at work. According to the affidavit, she said she would notify her mother that Chavannes had arrived.
Chavannes told his friend to stop the car and let him out so he could walk back home.
Plainfield police said the friend, who agreed to be interviewed, told them he called his own girlfriend to explain what was going on.
She allegedly told him to return to the apartment because she suspected Chavannes “was going to return to the apartment to fight with Ms. LaCroix.” Before driving back, the friend checked his car’s trunk, where he kept his gun — something Chavannes was aware of, the friend told police.
When he opened the trunk, his gun was gone. The friend told police that Chavannes must have taken it out while speaking with LaCroix’s daughter.
According to the affidavit, LaCroix’s daughter told police that she had lied to Chavannes’ friend about her mother’s presence at work; LaCroix had slept before going to work and had asked her daughter to wake her up at a specific time.
Shortly after Chavannes and his friend arrived, LaCroix’s daughter reported hearing a “pop and then glass breaking.” She then heard another pop and her mother scream.
After the third pop, the screaming ceased.
When LaCroix’s daughter went into her mother’s bedroom to see what had happened, she was unable to open the door. She noticed Chavannes and “a bunch of blood,” and no one in the room was moving. She called the cops.
When police arrived, LaCroix had died from gunshot wounds in her bedroom. Police discovered blood “throughout the living room and kitchen area,” as well as “broken glass from the patio door.” Chavannes remained conscious at the scene, near the front door. The gun Chavannes had taken from his friend was found near LaCroix’s body. Chavannes was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
LaCroix’s daughter told police that her mother had several violent interactions with Chavannes, which led her to kick him out of the house. Chavannes once “stabbed her mom with a screwdriver.” Chavannes would later apologize to LaCroix, who would “let him back in.” Chavannes received a protective order in June after being caught hiding near LaCroix’s home. He was prohibited from contacting or harassing her.
Police interviewed Chavannes in the hospital after he had recovered enough to speak. He was read his Miranda rights and told officers that he “remembered everything.” He allegedly told police, “I shot my wife,” and when asked why, he said, “because she was disrespecting me.” He also allegedly told police that his intention was “to take her life.”
Chavannes remains in the hospital and has been charged with murder, burglary, and domestic battery for violating a protective order.
