Spencer County – Indiana State Police arrested a Spencer County man Friday evening after he allegedly battered his 19-year-old daughter, then used a rifle and shot toward a vehicle containing his daughter, her boyfriend and his mother.

Preliminary investigation revealed at approximately 2:15 p.m., Elvis Roach, 19, and his mother, Angelia Roach, drove their pickup truck to Gerald Kline’s residence located at 7386 East C.R. 1400 North, near Lamar, to pick up Lorene Kline, 19.  Roach is Lorene Kline’s boyfriend.  After waiting outside a few minutes, Roach used his cell phone and called his girlfriend to let her know they were outside waiting. When she answered the phone she was screaming for help.  Angelia Roach was still in the pickup truck and used a handgun she had in her possession to fire several rounds into the air. Lorene was able to escape the residence and got into Roach’s truck. Gerald Kline exited his residence with a rifle and allegedly fired two rounds toward the truck as it was leaving.  One of the bullets traveled through the cab before exiting through the driver’s seat and striking Roach in the back.  He immediately drove to Lincoln Trail Elementary School and reported the incident to off-duty detective Rob Gardner, who was at the school picking up his children.  Roach was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.  The bullet did not penetrate his back.  Further investigation revealed Gerald Kline had strangled and prevented his daughter from leaving the residence when Roach arrived to pick her up.  Kline was arrested and is currently being held without bond in the Spencer County Jail.

ARRESTED AND CHARGES:
Gerald Kline, 57, 7386 East C.R. 1400 North, Lamar, IN
1. Criminal Recklessness with a Firearm, Class C Felony
2. Domestic Battery, Class D Felony
3. Criminal Confinement, Class C Felony
4. Strangulation, Class D Felony
5. Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Class C Felony
6. Pointing a Firearm, Class D Felony

Investigating Officers: Detective Rob Gardner and Trey Lytton, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Spencer County Sheriff’s Office

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.