A 20-year-old Salem man has surrendered and now faces murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the June 13 shooting and vehicle crash in Washington County.
On Wednesday, June 17, Isaiah J. Lambert, 20, of the 2700 block of W. Beeline Road on Salem’ west side, turned himself in at the Washington County Jail on an arrest warrant issued through the Washington County Superior Court.
At the time he surrendered, Lambert was wanted on the following original charges: intimidation, dealing in a schedule i controlled substance, and pointing a firearm, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Cary Huls. Following a hearing held on June 22, those charges were formally amended to murder, attempted murder, intimidation, dealing in schedule I-III controlled substance, and pointing a firearm at another person.
Isaiah Lambert was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail and is being held on $1 million cash bond.
Three others have been charged in connection with the death.
•Jessica D. Lambert, 35, of the 100 block of Franklin St., Salem charged with aiding murder, aiding attempted murder, false informing, aiding dealing in schedule I-III controlled substance; all felonies
•Kendall N. Cline, 20, of the 1100 block of E. Purlee Road, Salem charged with felonies aiding murder, aiding attempted murder, intimidation, and dealing in schedule I-III controlled substance,
•Ethan D. Edison, 22, of the 200 block of S. Posey Street, Salem was charged with aiding murder, aiding attempted murder, intimidation, dealing in schedule I-III controlled substance, and pointing a firearm at another person.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the events of June 13 stemmed from a drug-related robbery that occurred earlier in the evening at a residence near Salem involving suspected THC vape cartridges. Approximately two hours later, those involved in the incident again encountered each other near Big Springs Church, where shots were fired and 17-year-old Hunter Rowley was struck. Rowley’s pickup left the roadway and overturned in a wooded area, where first responders located the vehicle and found him critically injured. He died a short time later at the scene.
Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed electronic communications, and examined home security video as part of the ongoing investigation, ultimately identifying those believed to be involved and leading to the arrests and charges filed in this case.