Three Arrested Following Shooting in Southwest Jefferson County

Altercation led to the shooting

On Monday, September 8, 2025, at approximately 12:01 a.m., the Jefferson County Central Dispatch received a call advising that a male had been shot. The caller stated they had pulled over at the Circle K gas station in Hanover. Emergency services, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, identified as 40 yo Michael Wayne Eden, of Madison, Indiana. Eden was observed to have trauma to his upper body. Medical personnel from Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospital assumed patient care at the scene. He was subsequently transported by PHI Air Medical to the University of Louisville Hospital for further treatment. Eden is currently stable but still in the intensive care unit.

Through investigation, it was determined that the incident had originally occurred at a residence on West New Bethel Road in Lexington, Indiana. Deputies responded to that location, where no individuals were found on the property. The residence was secured by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Crime scene technicians from the Indiana State Police assisted in processing both the Circle K scene in Hanover and the West New Bethel Road address.

Investigators learned that the suspect, 42 yo David Jonathan Gates, of Lexington, Indiana, had engaged in an altercation with the victim, during which he produced a firearm and shot Eden. Gates was later located in Clark County, hiding in a trailer in a wooded area. He was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail, where he is currently being held on a charge of Attempted Murder, with bond set at $1,000,000.

Also arrested in connection with the incident were the following individuals: - 56 yo David Eugene Thacker, of Louisville, Kentucky he has been charged with Obstruction of Justice and False Informing. and 39 yo Nikisha Deanna Richardson,of Lexington, Indiana she has been charged with Assisting a Criminal, Obstruction of Justice, and False Informining

All individuals mentioned are currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Indiana State Police, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Clark County EMA, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, Jeffersonville Police Department, City of Madison Police Department, Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospital Emergency Services, and PHI Helicopter Service.

All individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law