On August 19, 2009, 30-year-old David S. Lawton was shot and killed in Lakeville, St. Joseph County, Indiana. Balmer produced a handgun and fired multiple times, fatally wounding Lawton, then held Stahly at gunpoint until she contacted police and officers arrived.

Balmer fled briefly, returned, and a standoff with police lasted about three hours; officers eventually shot Balmer in the shoulder and took him into custody. Investigators recovered multiple weapons at the house, and the handgun used had been fired at least six times. Lawton was pronounced dead at the scene and left behind two young sons.

Balmer was charged with murder and criminal confinement, and at trial in April 2010 the jury found him guilty but mentally ill on both counts. In June 2010 a judge sentenced him to 64 years in prison: 52 years for Lawton’s murder and 12 years for the confinement of Stahly. Did anyone who knew David or his family witness the events that day or have information about what led up to the confrontation?