Jeremy Miller, 35, of Merrillville, is facing two felony charges after police say he fired multiple shots through a door during a domestic disturbance Friday night.
According to court documents, Merrillville Police were dispatched at approximately 9:40 p.m. August 7, 2026, to a residence on the 7300 block of Marshall Place for a domestic disturbance with shots fired.
When officers arrived, they encountered a woman in the front yard who was in distress and screaming that her children were inside the home. She told officers the shooter was inside and that there were other children in the residence. While outside, the woman made a statement on her cell phone to the effect of, “your son could have killed me.” She also made statements that the man inside was intoxicated and “in a demonic state.”
Due to the possibility that the suspect was armed and because the residence had not been cleared, officers secured the perimeter and called for anyone inside to come out. After receiving no response, police entered the residence to conduct a safety sweep.
Officers found Miller lying on his side in a bed in a basement bedroom. When police removed a blanket covering him, they allegedly found an empty handgun holster and loaded handgun magazine on him. According to court documents, Miller was highly intoxicated and repeatedly stated that he loved his wife and would never hurt her.
The woman told police she and Miller had been outside drinking in the driveway before getting into an argument. Miller then went through the garage and into the house. When the woman attempted to enter through the back door, she found herself locked out and discovered the front door was also locked.
According to the affidavit, the woman then locked the garage man door to prevent Miller from using it to come and go. She told police Miller shot through the door and said, “he could have killed me.” She also told officers Miller had been drinking and smoking marijuana that day.
During a search of the residence, officers found a black Springfield Armory XD5 9mm handgun on the top shelf of a closet in the basement bedroom where Miller had been located. The handgun’s slide was locked to the rear and no magazine was inserted. Police reported finding a loaded Springfield Armory magazine on Miller containing seven 9mm cartridges and one hollow-point cartridge.
Investigators reported finding multiple bullet holes in the garage side/security door. Outside the door, officers located seven spent 9mm hollow-point casings and one live round. A bullet was found lodged in a rubber 10-pound weight plate on the floor inside the garage, and police observed a bullet hole through a wooden cart positioned in front of the door. The door knob had also broken off and was found near the overhead garage door.
A neighbor told police he was in bed when he heard approximately seven shots being fired relatively close to his home.
Miller was read his Miranda warning and asked if he wanted to speak with police. According to the affidavit, Miller never affirmatively responded and repeatedly said only, “give me a second.” Due to Miller’s level of intoxication, investigators determined a custodial interview would not be conducted.
Miller was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was medically cleared and turned over to jail staff. The affidavit states Miller reportedly resisted jail staff during the intake process.
The Department of Child Services was also contacted in connection with the investigation.
Charges filed August 8, 2026:
• Criminal Recklessness — Shooting a Firearm Into an Occupied Vehicle or Inhabited Dwelling, Level 5 Felony
• Domestic Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
