Arrest in illegal firearm purchase connected to shooting of Evansville officer, formerly of Greensburg

The Evansville Police Department, in conjunction with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), has arrested Maurice Keith James Cobb, Jr., 25, of Evansville in connection with the illegal purchase and transfer of firearms, one of which was later used in the September 21 shooting of Officer Samuel Taylor.

Officer Taylor was with the Greensburg Police Department in 2023 and 2024.

On Sept. 7, Cobb filled out federal firearms paperwork at a local store for the purchase of a two firearms. Cobb is currently under felony indictment out of Perry County for Neglect of a Dependent. Cobb falsely stated he was not under felony indictment on the firearms paperwork. Cobb later returned to the store and took possession of both firearms. Because of his indictment status and false statement, this was not a lawful purchase under state and federal law.

Cobb was arrested on Monday. Following Cobb’s arrest, detectives executed a search warrant at his residence. Detectives recovered a .22 caliber rifle, a .380 caliber handgun, six magazines, multiple boxes of different ammunition and large amounts of narcotics and paraphernalia. Cobb is being charged with False Statement on a Consent Form, Dealing Marijuana, Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun and Possession of Paraphernalia.

In a related story, the Evansville First Responders Hockey Team in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police Associates Lodge #73 and the Evansville Professional Fire Fighters Local 357 will be joining forces to host the Officer Sam Taylor Benefit Hockey Game.

Any business or organization that would like to contribute please send us a message directly to our Facebook page or email us at at efrhockey@gmail.com.