Lawyer Charged in Own Shooting; Authorities Say He Staged Apparent Attack for Unknown Reason
A practicing Indiana lawyer has been criminally charged in his own shooting, which authorities say he staged last month for an unknown reason.
Peter Raventos, 43, had claimed that he was shot by an unknown assailant on June 25 at McCormick’s Creek State Park. After being treated at a local hospital for wounds from more than 20 shotgun pellets, he was eventually charged with obstruction of justice, a felony, and false informing, a misdemeanor, according to the Greencastle Banner-Graphic and WBIW.
A state Department of Natural Resources press release provides further details.
Authorities said that witness interviews and evidence found near the shooting scene and in searches of Raventos’ home, cellphone and vehicle showed the attorney rigged a shotgun to fire at himself, Fox 59 reports.
Raventos was transported to a hospital by helicopter after the shooting, and divers were sent into the nearby White River to search for evidence, reportedly turning up a shotgun that authorities linked to the attorney.
Raventos turned himself in Monday to the Owen County sheriff’s department. Bond was set at $5,000 at a Monday hearing.
The news articles don’t include any comment from Raventos or his lawyer.
Hat tip: Above the Law.
Additional coverage:
Indianapolis Star: “Police investigate report of attorney’s shooting in McCormick’s Creek”
WTHI: “Victim of random gunshot staged the shot”
