Cleaner Shot Dead After Arriving at Wrong US Home
A homeowner in the United States has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after allegedly shooting and killing a house cleaner who mistakenly turned up at his front door. The tragic incident, which occurred in a suburb of Indianapolis, is set to become a significant test case for America's controversial 'stand-your-ground' self-defence laws.
María Florinda Ríos Pérez De Velásquez, a 32-year-old immigrant from Guatemala, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on the front porch of a home in Whitestown on November 5. According to authorities, she was part of a cleaning crew that had arrived at the incorrect address at approximately 7am.
A Fatal Mistake on the Doorstep
María's husband, who was with her on the porch, recounted the harrowing moment to local media. He stated that someone fired a shot through the front door. He did not realise his wife had been hit until she fell backwards into his arms, bleeding profusely. Police later confirmed the mother of four had been shot in the head.
The cleaning company that employed the couple verified they were supposed to be cleaning a model home in a nearby subdivision. A fundraising page set up after her death described María as a devoted mother to her four children.
The homeowner, 62-year-old Curt Andersen, was charged with voluntary manslaughter and could now face a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years and a fine of $10,000 (approximately £7,600) if convicted.
Legal Battle Over 'Stand-Your-Ground' Defence
Indiana is one of 31 US states with a 'stand-your-ground' law, which removes the duty to retreat and allows a person to use deadly force if they believe they are facing a threat of death or serious bodily harm. Andersen's defence is expected to hinge on this legislation.
His attorney, Guy Telford, expressed disappointment at the decision to charge his client. In a statement on X, he argued that "Mr Andersen's actions must be evaluated based on the circumstances as he perceived them" and that the stand-your-ground law clearly protects him.
However, Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood stated that the decision to charge Andersen was straightforward. He asserted that the stand-your-ground protections do not apply in this instance because Andersen lacked sufficient information to know if his use of deadly force was reasonable. Eastwood told reporters, "This case is not about undermining the law - it is about applying the law to the facts of this case."
Critically, police investigations found no evidence that María had entered the home or made forceful contact with the door, its latch, or the frame before she was shot.
The Homeowner's Account and the Investigation
According to a probable cause affidavit, Andersen told investigators he and his wife were asleep in an upstairs bedroom when he heard a "commotion at the door" that grew more intense. He claimed he thought someone was using keys or tools to force the front door open.
Feeling frightened, Andersen said he went to the top of the stairs, saw two people outside, and asked himself, "What am I going to do? It's not going away and I have to do something now." He stated that he loaded his handgun, returned to the stairwell, and saw the people "thrusting" at the door, becoming more aggressive.
Andersen admitted to firing one shot toward the door without announcing his presence or saying anything beforehand. He maintained that the door never opened. Investigators later found a single bullet hole in the door but no signs of forced entry.
Legal expert Jody Madeira, an Indiana University law professor specialising in gun rights, clarified that members of the public are generally permitted to access private property, including a front porch, for a legitimate purpose until they are told to leave. She noted that a homeowner cannot legally shoot a delivery driver or cleaner simply for stepping onto their property.
The case continues to develop as the US legal system prepares to scrutinise the boundaries of self-defence and property rights.
