ELKHART, Ind. — A tragic incident unfolded on Monday at a grocery store in northern Indiana, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including the alleged shooter, and injuries to two police officers, according to officials.
Authorities received a 911 call around 5:30 p.m. regarding a shooting at Martin’s Super Market, as noted by the local police department in a social media update. Upon arrival, officers discovered two deceased victims within the store.
During the confrontation with the shooting suspect outside the supermarket, two officers sustained injuries, and the suspect was subsequently shot and killed, as detailed in a post by the Elkhart Police Department, which sought to clarify details following an earlier press briefing.
The injured officers were transported to hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds. As reported, one officer has already been discharged, while the other remains in stable condition.
Expressing the community’s sorrow, Elkhart Police Chief Dan Milanese stated, “In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens.”
The identities of the victims, the suspect, and the injured officers are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Erin Swary, a pregnant customer at the store, recounted her experience during the chaos. She was in line checking out and chatting with the cashier when she suddenly heard a noise. Initially attributing the sound to a balloon, she quickly realized something was amiss when she observed others taking cover.
“After that I would say there were six to eight more shots, just one right after another,” Swary recounted. “So, I was just down on the ground, just frozen.”
Eventually making her escape, Swary described herself as shaken and breathless from the ordeal.
Following the shooting, Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson urged the community to keep all victims in their thoughts and offer prayers for “our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those involved in the incident.”
Furthermore, Governor Mike Braun expressed his condolences on social media, reporting that he was in contact with both state and local law enforcement concerning the shooting. “Maureen and I are praying for the victims and their families,” he stated, referring to his wife.
Elkhart is situated approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of South Bend, Indiana.
