Suspect in Dugger bar fight death remains at large

James Bradley Gardner.
(Photo courtesy of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department)

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A spokesman at the Sullivan County Jail told the Greene County Daily World on Monday morning that James Bradley Gardner, 24, Elnora, remained at large.

The Sullivan County prosecutor charged Gardner, who formerly lived in Lyons, Friday with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly striking Richard D. Pigg, 51, Dugger, during a fight inside the Uptown Tavern in Dugger.

Pigg died later that day at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis from a skull fracture caused by blunt force trauma, according to an autopsy conducted by the Marion County Coroner's office.

Prosecutor Bob Hunley also confirmed that Gardner remains at large.

When Gardner is arrested the case will be assigned to Sullivan Superior Court and his bond will be set at $15,000 cash with no 10 percent allow, Hunley stated.

The prosecutor said he didn't want to speculate on Gardner's whereabouts.

"We'll leave that up to the police," he stated.

Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Joe Watts added, "We are actively looking for him utilizing all of our available resources."

Gardner is described as a white male, 5 feet, 9 inches in height, weighs 220 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a muscular build.

The preliminary investigation revealed a verbal altercation allegedly was initiated between Pigg and Gardner inside the bar on Sept. 1. The verbal argument escalated and Gardner allegedly punched Pigg in the face with his closed right fist. Pigg fell to the floor and landed near a pool table, according to ISP Det. Tom Hanks' report that was submitted to the prosecutor's office that was the basis for the class C criminal charge against Gardner.

The autopsy showed that Pigg was knocked unconscious by the single punch.

Gardner was involved in an altercation outside the Uptown Tavern in March, but wasn't charged after he allegedly severely battered a rural Sullivan man who fired a gunshot into his truck windshield.

A witness told police that he was walking out of the bar about 3:30 a.m. and heard a loud bang. He then heard a second shot and saw James Gardner's truck windshield getting shot as he was driving down the street, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Gardner immediately jumped out of his truck and confronted the shooter -- 35-year-old Timothy Kean. The witness told police that Kean "raised the gun at Gardner, but the gun didn't do anything. Either because of malfunction or the shell not being ejected."

The witness said Kean then left in his truck with Gardner following him in his truck. The two allegedly got into a fight at a residence located at 1024 South County Road 600E.

Kean has been charged with three counts of attempted murder -- all class A felonies.

Kean alleged shot 39-year-old Patrick Ruff, of Jasonville, and LeighAnn Lovelace 31, of Linton.

Ruff sustained serious head injuries from the gunshot.

Police advise anyone with information about Gardner's whereabouts to call 911 or contact their nearest police agency.

Police say to use caution when dealing with Gardner.

Hanks wrote in his probable cause affidavit, "Gardner is confirmed through the Indiana Department of Correction as a Saxon Knights gang member and doesn't respond well to authority."

Saxon Knights are primarily an Indiana prison based white supremacy gang.

Gardner was convicted of dealing methamphetamine March 17, 2010 out of Sullivan County and sentenced to six years with the Indiana Department of Correction, according to the DOC website.

He was released in Aug. 2011 and is currently on probation for the class B felony conviction