FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – An argument that began over spilled French fries ended with a man shooting his brother in what he claims to be self-defense, according to newly released Allen Superior Court documents.
Fort Wayne Police have arrested 33-year-old Christopher Vibbert on preliminary charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the shooting, which occurred in the 2300 block of Brooklyn Avenue just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Vibbert initially called officers to the scene after the shooting, telling emergency dispatchers he shot his brother in the chest and hand after his brother attacked him, according to court documents.
His brother would later tell a detective he was shot after all the fighting had been done, court documents said.
When officers arrived, they found a man identified as Eric Vibbert suffering from life-threatening injuries, court documents said.
Medics took Eric Vibbert to a local hospital where doctors told detectives it was unknown if he would survive, court documents said.
In an interview with detectives, Christopher Vibbert said he and his brother went to a concert at a local nightclub and decided to stop at a fast-food restaurant on the way home, according to court documents.
They also stopped at a gas station at the corner of Broadway and Taylor to get a drink and a snack. Christopher Vibbert drove the car and took a sharp turn to go south on Broadway, causing Eric Vibbert to spill his French fries, according to court documents.
Eric Vibbert called his brother a “fat (expletive),” Christopher Vibbert told detectives in court documents, and an argument ensued. Christopher Vibbert told detectives in the interview he stopped the car on Brooklyn Avenue and his brother began punching him.
Christopher Vibbert claimed in the interview with detectives he tried to push his brother out of the car and eventually reached for his 9-millimeter caliber handgun in his center console and fired twice, court documents said.
He said Eric Vibbert then got out of the car and ran to a nearby house, according to court documents.
When asked whether he felt the amount of force he used was justified, Christopher Vibbert told detectives in court documents that he didn’t know but that he “just reacted.” At no time did Christopher Vibbert say he was in fear of his life, a detective wrote in court documents.
Prior to being rushed into surgery, Eric Vibbert told a Fort Wayne Police detective he and Christopher Vibbert got into an argument while inside the car they were driving in the area of the shooting, according to court documents.
Eric Vibbert said his brother told him to get out of the car. Eric Vibbert then punched his brother, he admitted to a detective in court documents. This led to both brothers hitting each other, he said in court documents.
Finally, Eric Vibbert told his brother he would get out of the car, according to court documents. As he was outside the car, he told detectives in court documents he saw Christopher Vibbert reach into the center console area where he kept a gun.
Eric Vibbert told detectives he was outside the car when he heard the gun fire and felt pain to his hand.
Eric Vibbert then ran to a nearby house, court documents said. An update on his condition was not immediately available, though detectives noted in court documents doctors said there was still a high level of uncertainty on whether he would survive.
Christopher Vibbert is being held on $60,000 bond and has been ordered to stay away from his brother, according to court documents.
He is scheduled to appear before a judge Tuesday.
