A shooting took place at a grocery store in Elkhart, Indiana, on Monday evening, leaving two people dead and two police officers injured. The incident occurred inside Martin’s Super Market, when a person started shooting inside the store, said Elkhart Police spokesperson Jessica McBrier.
When the police arrived, they exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was later confirmed dead. The two officers who were injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Their condition is stable, McBrier said, but no further details were provided about the identities of the victims or the suspected shooter.
The two people killed were inside the store when the shooting happened, but it is unclear exactly where the suspect died. McBrier offered condolences, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected. It’s a sad day in Elkhart.” She assured the public that there was no ongoing danger and that the police were investigating the shooting. The homicide team has taken over the case.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun also addressed the situation, saying his office was in contact with local law enforcement. He expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families, saying, “Maureen and I are praying for the victims and their families.”
Elkhart, a city about 15 miles east of South Bend, is now the focus of the investigation.
One shopper, Erin Swary, shared her frightening experience with local news station WNDU-TV. She was at the checkout counter when the shooting started. At first, she thought the sound of gunshots was just a balloon popping. However, as more shots were fired, Swary realized it was a shooting and ducked for cover when she saw other shoppers hiding.
Swary said she was terrified and only thought about her children. “If he came around the corner, I would probably be gone,” she told the station. “I was scared for my life… When you hear something like that, you assume someone doing that is just randomly going around.” The incident left many in the community shaken, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the tragic event.
