Kids go to parks to play, have fun, and enjoy nature. They should feel safe in these environments, making core childhood memories and being carefree. A group of kids in Indiana was trying to do just that when a woman allegedly showed up and threatened them with a gun. When police tracked down the suspect a short time later, they reportedly found her residence filled with interesting items. Now, 31-year-old mom Ashley Nicole Maxwell faces multiple charges in the wake of her unhinged rant.
Maxwell allegedly threatened a group of kids.
Maxwell drove up to Columbia Park in Lafayette just before 6 p.m. on April 12, 2025, according to court documents obtained by Fox 59. She allegedly pulled a gun from her fanny pack and told the children that she would shoot them and blow up the park. The juveniles ranged in age from 7 to 14 years old. After making the threats and telling one child she would “light him up,” she left the park.
Police tracked her down in no time.
Police used the license plate from the vehicle Maxwell drove to help track her down a short time later. During a traffic stop, police reportedly found Maxwell in the vehicle with six juveniles, according to Fox 59. Officers smelled marijuana on Maxwell, and when asked about the odor, she reportedly admitted to having a joint in her pocket. Police arrested Maxwell and took her to Tippecanoe County Jail, but the investigation had just begun.
Police visited Maxwell’s residence.
According to court documents obtained by Fox 59, they spoke to a man who lives with Maxwell, who reportedly denied having any firearms in the residence. When police asked to search the home, the man allegedly denied them entry and said law enforcement “were not getting into his safe.” Much to his chagrin, investigators showed up at the residence a short time later and reportedly hit the jackpot.
Maxwell’s home apparently had plenty of contraband.
Because to a past escape and intimidation conviction, Maxwell cannot legally own a firearm. When police searched her residence, she allegedly had 9mm ammunition, shotgun slugs, a Taurus GC2 9mm handgun, magazines, a holster, two cellphones, and a bag of miscellaneous ammunition. According to court documents, she tried to contact someone at the home to remove all the gun-related items before police arrived.
Maxwell faces one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of intimidation with a deadly weapon, two counts of intimidation to commit a forcible felony, one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, one count of unlawful handgun possession, one count of possession of marijuana, one count of driving with a suspended license, and one count of unlawfully carrying a handgun as a felon, Fox 59 reported.
That’s a total of 10 charges for losing your cool and for possessing something you know you aren’t allowed to have. Some people never learn or just don’t care, and it shows.
