WHITLEY COUNTY - Detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place on Sunday, April 20 just before 8 p.m. on Ind. 9, south of Columbia City.
Earlier in the evening, Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) was called to a possible homicide. They were given a vehicle description that the suspect was reported leaving the scene in. The vehicle was located and ended up being pursued by FWPD, according to a news release from the ISP. Troopers from the ISP Fort Wayne Post joined the pursuit, which ended in Whitley County. Along with FWPD and ISP, Whitley County and Allen County Sheriff's Departments also joined this pursuit of the homicide suspect as it went through several jurisdictions. At some point near the end of the pursuit, the suspect fired shots at officers. Officers from several agencies returned fire, the release states.
After a brief standoff, officers were able to make contact with the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. There were no other people in the vehicle. One trooper suffered minor injuries from being struck by broken glass.
All ISP troopers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer-involved shootings.
This is an ongoing investigation and it will take time to complete, according to the release. The investigation will determine which officers fired their weapons and if the cause of death was self-inflicted or a result of the officer-involved shooting. The identity of the dead, as well as the exact cause of death, will be released after further investigation by the coroner.
ISP troopers were assisted by ISP SWAT, FWPD, FWPD EST (SWAT), FWPD ESU (DRONE), Allen County Sheriff's Department, Whitley County Sheriff's Department, Whitley County Coroner’s office and Parkview EMS.
If there are any questions related to the homicide in Fort Wayne, contact the FWPD.