EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Police say 39-year-old Steve Rickard shot 28-year-old Jennifer "Nicky" Peters inside a Vann Avenue home, and held police at bay for hours. He was eventually shot by SWAT team officers.
Officers were called to the house by Jim Peters, who identifies himself during the call to 911 as Peters' father-in-law.
Jim was called by one of the two young boys in the home when Peters was shot.
At first he tells dispatchers that the boy was worried because a "domestic situation" at the home. Minutes later the boy tells Jim that Nicky had been shot in the head.
According to a police report, Rickard admitted to killing Nicky Peters.
Police say the two boys, ages 6 and 12, were Nicky's sons. They are safe and staying with family.
Below is a transcription of the 911 call Jim Peters made to police:
Peters: "My grandson … just called me and he is at 1909 Vann Ave. And his mother is having a domestic problem with a man that lives there and he said please come and get me... Umm... He just shot mom."
911 Dispatcher: "You said this is your grandson."
Peters: "He told me that his mother had been shot… begged me to come and get him, and I was going to go get him, but I'm afraid to okay."
911 Dispatcher: "Because they have had issues in the past, the mother??"
Peters: "Yes, some."
911 Dispatcher: "What is the mother's name"
Peters: "Nicky. Jennifer Peters. I think she was on house arrest."
911 Dispatcher: "Do you know what the male suspects name is?"
Peters: "I don't know Steve... that's his house. 1909 Vann Ave."
911 Dispatcher: "How old is the child?"
Peters: "xx is 12 his little brother is 8 and they are together. You know what I still need to go over there. I'm going to need to go."
911 Dispatcher: "Okay, we've got officers on the way already, but we need more information, did you say this happened just now."
Peters: "Just now."
911 Dispatcher: "and you don't know the male subject's name"
Peters: "no I don't they were living together in this house."
911 Dispatcher: "and both children are in the house."
Peters: "yes. they are in trouble he just called me screaming and crying."
(Peters begins talking to someone else): "Answer that.. Push it down"
911 Dispatcher: "Are they calling you now"
(silence while he instructs someone to answer his cell phone)
Peters talking on another phone: "Hello... Yes ... I do... Where is your mom? Are they calling an ambulance (pause) shot her in the head! Oh my God. ma'am I've got to go."
911 Dispatcher: "okay stay on the phone with me, we've got officers enroute.. Can you ask him?
Peters talking on the other phone: "You walk away from the house.You get as far away as you can. Okay, keep walking. Keep him walking. I'll be right there.
Go to the Buy Low on Vann you go inside and wait for me. Okay? Do it now. I'll see you there buddy.
Yes I have. Everything is fine... You go right ahead."
911 Dispatcher: "Sir, can you ask him if he knows..."
Peters: "The cops are there."
911 Dispatcher: "Sir, they are on scene."
Peters: "I've got to go get the boys. Ma'am I need to go get the boys."
911 Dispatcher: "Sir, listen to me. Are the children away from the home?"
Peters: "He's walking him to buy low right now."
911 Dispatcher: "Who's walking them?"
Peters: "the older grandson. I've got to go ma'am."
911 Dispatcher: "okay, I've got officers on scene, and they are reporting shots fired, so the children are away?"
Peters: "yes, I've got to go get them though."
911 Dispatcher: "i need you to just stay away from that area."
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