In the quiet community of Terre Haute, Indiana, a grim event unfolded on the night of March 20, 2025, that would end the life of 46-year-old Mark Gayer. Deputies from the Vigo County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence in the 5200 block of North 13th 1/2 Street at approximately 10:15 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered a tragic scene in a bedroom where both a man and a woman had sustained gunshot wounds.
The male victim, identified as Mark Gayer, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The female victim, 33-year-old Meagen Anderson, was found seriously injured and was quickly transported to a hospital in Indianapolis for medical treatment. As investigators began to piece together the events of that night, they learned that a suspected shooter had fled before their arrival. The investigation soon led them to a nearby location where the suspect was believed to be hiding. With the assistance of the Terre Haute Police Department's SWAT Team, a brief standoff ensued at a home on Hendricks Avenue. Two male subjects eventually exited the residence without incident, leading to a swift arrest.
The primary suspect taken into custody was identified as 18-year-old Joshua Torpy of Terre Haute, who was revealed to be Mark Gayer's nephew. He was subsequently charged with murder and attempted murder. Believing Torpy had not acted alone, investigators continued their inquiries which led to a second arrest the following day. Kyle Peretti, a 22-year-old from Terre Haute, was taken into custody and faced charges of murder, attempted murder, and assisting a criminal.
Court documents and statements from law enforcement suggested a possible motive for the deadly encounter, indicating a business dispute between the suspects and Gayer. It was reported that Torpy, Peretti, and Gayer were involved in a construction company together. During their initial court appearances, both Joshua Torpy and Kyle Peretti entered pleas of not guilty. They remained held without bond as the legal process began to move forward, with future court dates scheduled for pre-trial hearings and a jury trial.
