LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A southern Indiana woman accused of helping a man escape to Louisville after he shot a deputy appeared in court on Monday.
Victoria Howard, 35, of New Albany, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 9, in Clarksville by Indiana State Police on charges of assisting a criminal and false informing.
In court Monday, Howard pleaded not guilty and a judge set her bond to $25,000 cash.
Investigators believe Howard helped Austin Schepers escape to Louisville. Schepers, 33, was accused of shooting Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Zac Andry four times during a traffic stop on Highway 150 near West Baden at 12:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3.
ISP said Andry noticed a car pulled over on the side of the highway. During the stop, Andry suspected criminal activity and asked Schepers to step out of the car. That's when ISP said Schepers shot Andry and sped off.
Investigators believe Howard knew that Schepers was accused of shooting a police officer and that he was wanted by law enforcement when he went to her apartment in New Albany.
A photo of Austin Schepers who is accused of shooting an Orange County Sheriff's Deputy. (Source: ISP)
Howard allegedly used Lyft to help Schepers get a ride from her apartment to Craig Street in Louisville.
There was an hourslong standoff in New Albany on Jan. 3 after police believed Schepers could've been there, but no one was found at the residence.
According to ISP, Louisville Metro Police officers located Schepers in the 3700 block of Wheeler Avenue, off Taylor Blvd. in Louisville, in the backyard of a home on Saturday, Jan. 4 after an extensive manhunt.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said at the time that Schepers shot at officers. Multiple LMPD officers and U.S. Marshals deputies returned fire, Humphrey said, hitting Schepers, who died at the scene. No police officers or people in the area were injured in the shooting, LMPD said.
Pictured: Orange County, Indiana, Sheriff's Deputy Zac Andry.
ISP said it expects additional arrests in the case of more people accused of assisting Schepers while he was wanted by police, but have not elaborated further.
Andry remains hospitalized after the shooting. In an update on Thursday, Jan. 9, ISP said his condition remains the same — critical but stable — at UofL Health Hospital in downtown Louisville.
Andry underwent surgery not long after the Jan. 3 shooting and was reported in critical condition, but stable. Master Trooper Philip Hensley said Thursday Andry is under sedation and is being assisted with the use of a ventilator.
Howard is being held in the Floyd County Jail and is scheduled to make another appearance in court on Jan. 28.
Related Stories:
- Southern Indiana woman accused of ordering Lyft ride for suspect charged with shooting deputy
- Southern Indiana sheriff's deputy remains in critical condition, on ventilator after being shot
- Louisville police identify 4 officers who fired at man wanted for shooting southern Indiana deputy
- Suspect in shooting of southern Indiana deputy killed by police in Louisville, police say
- Police identify southern Indiana deputy shot during traffic stop as manhunt continues
- Manhunt continues for 'armed and dangerous' suspect after southern Indiana deputy was shot
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
