Gibson County – Wednesday night, January 16, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Indiana State Police, Fort Branch Police, Haubstadt Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Department responded to 7816 C.R. 45 East in Fort Branch after receiving a 911 call regarding a man being shot during an altercation.

Preliminary investigation revealed Austin Blaize, 23, of Francisco, had allegedly been involved in some type of dispute with his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Blaize arrived at his ex-girlfriend’s residence around 7:00 p.m. and entered through the garage. Blaize allegedly had a handgun and attempted to fire the weapon when he saw the boyfriend, but the weapon failed to fire. There was an altercation inside the residence and while Blaize was exiting he allegedly fired several more rounds. At least one round struck the girlfriend’s father. The boyfriend exited the residence and fled on foot. Blaize also fled the area.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation Officers, Francisco Town Marshall and Oakland City Police located Blaize at his grandmother’s residence located at 301 South Center Street in Francisco. Blaize was arrested without incident and taken to the Gibson County Jail.

The father, Terry Monier, 47, 7816 South C.R. 45 East, Fort Branch, was taken to Deaconess Hospital where he later died from his injury. He was 47 years old.

ARRESTED:
• Austin Tyler Blaize, 23, Francisco, IN, arrested for Murder. He is currently being held without bond in the Gibson County Jail.  

This is an on-going investigation.

Investigating Agencies: Fort Branch Police and Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation Officers and
Haubstadt Police