Muncie Man Faces Felony Charges After Shooting Himself at IHOP, Leading Police on 110 MPH Chase

A 28-year-old Muncie man is facing three felony charges after police say he confronted an IHOP cook over accusations the cook had slept with his wife, accidentally shot himself in the leg while pointing a gun at the man, chased him through the parking lot with a knife, and then led police on a chase that reached roughly 110 mph before crashing into a house.

According to court documents, Austen Wable walked into the IHOP in Muncie, Indiana, on Thursday and fired his weapon before confronting the kitchen worker. Witnesses told police Wable, who was described as “extremely drunk,” shouted, “You f—ked my bitch, bro,” and pushed the cook.

Wable then allegedly pointed the gun at the cook. The weapon discharged, wounding Wable in the leg. “I’m leaking,” he shouted, according to a witness who later spoke to investigators.

The confrontation moved outside, where Wable allegedly chased the cook through the parking lot with a knife. It is not clear from court documents whether he had the knife with him when he entered the restaurant.

Wable then fled the scene in his wife’s Buick Enclave SUV, triggering a police pursuit. Court documents say he reached speeds of about 110 mph, fast enough that the vehicle nearly went airborne. The chase ended when he crashed the SUV into a home.

Documents say Wable initially refused to cooperate with officers after the crash, stumbling to his right and appearing disoriented as he got out of the vehicle. He was treated for the gunshot wound.

Wable has been charged with three Level 5 felonies: shooting a firearm into an inhabited building, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and unlawful carrying of a handgun. Each Level 5 felony in Indiana carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Court records show Wable was previously convicted in 2021 of carrying a handgun without a license.