News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Police identify suspect in September 6 Kirkwood shooting

Devan Ridgway
/
WFIU/WTIU News
Dajhon Branson-Orellana is also facing charges of domestic battery, intimidation with a deadly weapon and theft in three separate cases.

The office of the Monroe County Prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant related to the September 6 shooting on Kirkwood that put a 19-year-old man in the hospital with a neck wound.

Bloomington police said Dajhon Lee Branson-Orellana, 21, shot the victim during a dispute over three ounces of marijuana that the victim believed was stolen from his apartment during a party by a third individual.

He faces four charges including aggravated battery posing a substantial risk of death, a level three felony.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Branson-Orellana accompanied the alleged marijuana thief to a meeting with the victim and his friends. The victim told police Branson-Orellana began arguing with him when he asked to search his friend’s car for the missing marijuana. The confrontation escalated when Branson-Orellana drew his gun.

"He pointed it to my head, pushed my head, and said, 'I'll kill you,'” the victim said. “I said, ‘B****, try.’”

Police said security footage from the library showed Branson-Orellana being pushed and firing the weapon “likely within ten feet of the victim and potentially much closer.” A purported witness also identified him from a photo lineup.

Branson-Orellana is also facing charges of domestic battery, intimidation with a deadly weapon and theft in three separate cases. Bloomington police said that as of noon Monday, he had not yet been arrested.

Ethan Sandweiss is a multimedia journalist for Indiana Public Media. He has previously worked with KBOO News as an anchor, producer, and reporter. Sandweiss was raised in Bloomington and graduated from Reed College with a degree in History.

WFIU/WTIU News is an independent newsroom rooted in public service.

“Act Independently” is one of the basic creeds of journalism ethics, and we claim it proudly. The WFIU/WTIU News facilities are located on the campus of Indiana University, which does hold our broadcast license and contribute funding to our organization. However, our journalists and senior news leaders have full authority over journalistic decisions — what we decide to cover and how we tell our stories. We observe a clear boundary: Indiana University and RTVS administrators focus on running a strong and secure organization; WFIU/WTIU journalists focus on bringing you independent news you can trust.