A man was arrested after deputies responded to reports of gunfire at the Golden Tower apartment complex in the early morning hours of April 22. Deputies from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene on Norma Drive around 1:20 a.m. after a resident reported hearing four gunshots and saw a man searching the parking lot before leaving between buildings.
The incident is significant as it resulted in damage to vehicles and involved firearms, raising concerns about safety in residential areas. According to authorities, deputies found four spent shell casings and discovered two vehicles with bullet damage parked outside the apartments.
Deputies soon located Michael Lee Dortch, who matched the witness’s description. The witness identified Dortch as the person seen immediately following the shots. After being read his Miranda rights, Dortch initially denied involvement but later admitted firing his weapon during an altercation with an acquaintance linked to a prior relationship dispute involving their respective girlfriends.
Dortch told investigators that he retrieved a handgun from his apartment after arguing with his acquaintance in the parking lot. He said both parties exchanged gunfire before his acquaintance fled with another woman through the complex. Deputies recovered a 9mm handgun under Dortch’s loveseat during a search of his apartment; records showed this firearm had been reported stolen by Evansville Police in 2024.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information to contact them via their tip line or phone number provided on their website (https://vanderburghsheriff.org/tip-submit/). Officials remind residents that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
