ELKHART, Indiana — A quiet Monday evening turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak as a shooting at Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart left two people dead, two police officers injured, and a community in mourning.
The incident, which unfolded around 5:30 p.m. at the store located on the 500 block of East Jackson Boulevard, has shaken this city approximately 15 miles east of South Bend.
According to the Elkhart Police Department, officers responded to reports of an active shooter and arrived to find two victims dead inside the supermarket. “Both of these individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene,” police stated in a news release.
The names of the victims, as well as those of the suspect and the injured officers, have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
The situation escalated as officers confronted the suspect outside the store. In an exchange of gunfire, two officers were shot, and the suspect was fatally wounded.
Both officers were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. One was treated and released, while the other remained hospitalized in “fair but stable condition” as of Monday evening. Authorities have assured the public that there is no further danger.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments when gunfire erupted. Erin Swary, a pregnant mother who was in the store at the time, told local news station WNDU that she initially mistook the gunshots for a balloon popping.
“After that, I would say there were six to eight more shots, just one right after another,” she recounted. Swary, who was checking out at the time, dropped to the ground, fearing for her life and thinking of her children.
“All I could think while I was down there was of my kids. And, if he came around that corner, I thought I would probably be gone or shot as well,” she said.
Elkhart Police Chief Dan Milanese called the shooting a “horrific situation” and expressed his grief for the victims, their families, and the officers involved.
“Words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens,” Milanese said. He extended his gratitude to local law enforcement partners, including the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Police, for their swift response and support.
Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson echoed the sentiment, releasing a statement that read, “Our hearts are broken in Elkhart tonight. Please continue to pray for the victims, including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those at the incident.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun also weighed in, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that he and his wife, Maureen Braun, were praying for the victims and their families. “As details emerge about the shooting in Elkhart, we are in communication with state and local law enforcement,” he wrote.
The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into the shooting and has asked anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to contact them at 574-295-2825. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the shooting.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, residents are coming together to support one another. Vigils and memorials are being planned to honor the lives lost and to show solidarity with the injured officers and their families.
For now, Elkhart remains a city in mourning, grappling with the senseless violence that has left scars on its heart. As Chief Milanese urged, “I ask for the community to continue to keep all those affected by this horrific event in your thoughts and prayers.”
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
