July 7—ELKHART — A child is dead and a suspect is in custody after a standoff in Elkhart that began Saturday night and lasted through the night, ending late Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday at approximately 9:06 p.m., the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 57000 block of Pendleton Drive to check on the well-being of a man and two children, a statement from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office stated.
“Information was received indicating that the man had made threats to harm children – officers attempted to make contact with the man at the residence, but were unsuccessful,” the statement said. “Further investigation confirmed that the man was in the residence, armed and threatening to harm authorities.”
At approximately 12:09 a.m. Sunday, the Elkhart County Regional SWAT Team responded to assist with securing the location and attempting to make contact with the man. The man refused to leave and discharged the firearm before barricading himself in the residence, the report says.
“The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is currently investigating with assistance from the Indiana State Police in connection with the death of a minor child,” ECSO Capt. Michael Culp said in an email update at 4:53 p.m. Sunday. .
Culp held a news conference at 1 p.m. at the Baugo Township Fire Department, about a mile from the scene of the standoff, which is on the west side of Elkhart, adding that no injuries had been reported at that time.
