Full Breakdown
Indiana Man Fires Gun in IHOP, Leads 110 mph Police Chase
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident at the Muncie IHOP
On a Thursday in Muncie, Indiana, 28-year-old Austen Wable entered an IHOP and confronted a kitchen worker, accusing the employee of having sex with his wife. An IHOP employee who intervened described Wable as “extremely drunk” and said he pushed the cook while shouting a profanity-laden insult. During the struggle, Wable pointed a handgun at the cook; the weapon discharged, wounding Wable in the leg. The employee then attempted to seize the gun, and the altercation continued in the restaurant’s parking lot, where Wable pursued the cook with a knife.
Police Pursuit and Crash
After the shooting, Wable fled the scene in a vehicle, reportedly a Buick Enclave SUV belonging to his wife. Police attempted a traffic stop, but Wable accelerated, reaching speeds exceeding 110 mph, weaving through traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road. Officers reported that he ignored commands and eventually had to be tased. The high-speed pursuit ended when Wable lost control and crashed the SUV into a two-story brick house, after which he was taken into custody.
Criminal Charges and Prior Record
Court documents indicate that Wable was arrested on six preliminary felony charges, including unlawful carrying of a handgun, while another report lists three Level 5 felonies: shooting a firearm into an inhabited building, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and unlawful carrying of a handgun. Both sources note that a single Level 5 felony carries a maximum six-year prison term. Wable’s prior conviction in 2021 for carrying a handgun without a license was also cited, rendering him ineligible to possess a firearm at the time of the incident.
Potential Sentencing
If convicted on the Level 5 felonies, Wable faces up to 18 years in prison, though sentencing will depend on plea negotiations and the court’s assessment of the aggravated circumstances, including the high-speed chase and endangerment of the public. The case underscores ongoing concerns about firearm access for individuals with prior convictions and the risks posed by intoxicated, armed confrontations in public venues.
