Crime
Daviess County Shooting Suspect Apprehended in Perry County Following Extensive Search
Perry County, IN – After an extensive search in a wooded area on Saturday morning, law enforcement successfully apprehended Alex J. Carlquist in the Oriole/Branchville area.
Authorities had been actively searching for 35-year-old Alexander J. Carlquist, who was wanted in connection with a shooting in Daviess County, Indiana.
The Indiana State Police (ISP), in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, initiated a manhunt in Perry County after receiving intelligence that Carlquist may have been in the area.
According to Daviess County Sheriff’s Office officials, the shooting occurred around 2:05 a.m. on Friday, February 16, near 15075 N US Highway 231.
Deputies responded to a call for assistance from Martin County, and upon arrival, they discovered a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical responders transported the victim to Daviess Community Hospital, where he was later transferred to another medical facility. Authorities have confirmed that the victim is currently in stable condition.
Investigators had reason to believe that Carlquist had connections to residents in Perry County, leading law enforcement to a property where the suspect was believed to be hiding. ISP Sgt.
John Davis confirmed that officials conducted a thorough search of the area before locating and taking Carlquist into custody.
Authorities previously issued a be-on-the-lookout alert, describing Carlquist as 5’11”, weighing 180 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
He was believed to be driving either a silver 2004 Jeep Liberty (license plate: CHJ385) or a silver 2009 Ford Focus (license plate: CPQ532). Law enforcement had warned the public that Carlquist was considered armed and dangerous.
Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact them at 812-254-1060 or submit a tip via the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.
More details will be released as the investigation develops.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.