ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) – A double shooting at an Elkhart apartment complex appeared to be connected to a house fire that brought a huge police presence to the northwest part of the county, according to police.
Police say the potential suspect in that double shooting has been found dead in the home.
READ MORE: Man killed in Elkhart apartment shooting identified
Authorities were called to The Highlands Apartments, behind the Walmart on County Road 6 near Cassopolis Street, for a shooting around 2:00 p.m.
They found a man inside an apartment with gunshot wounds.
He later died at the scene.
A woman was found outside the apartment who had also been shot.
The woman is in the hospital.
Just a few minutes later, another call came through just north of the city for a house fire on Golden Pond Drive.
That’s when police, SWAT and even the bomb squad arrived on the scene of the fire.
According to police, after the fire was put out, officers found a body inside.
An official identification has not been made yet.
“It’s shocking. It’s kind of, it’s just, I’m still processing it,” said Robert Annetta, a neighbor.
Neighbors were stunned to see orange flames and billowing smoke from a house in a subdivision on Golden Pond Trail in Elkhart County
They told WSBT 22 they were even more surprised as the Elkhart County Regional Bomb squad approached the house along with SWAT, police and multiple fire departments.
Crews responded a little after 2 p.m. on Monday for the fire, and it wasn’t until nearly 7:30 p.m. that crime scene tape was put up at the house.
“But seeing the SWAT, but then the house on fire, you know, you see that on TV ever so often, where somebody does something stupid, sets a house on fire, takes her own life or something. And I don’t know what happened exactly, but it’s not good,” said Bryan Priebe, a neighbor.
For several hours after that shooting, dozens of SWAT vehicles, the bomb squad, police, EMS and fire crews surrounded that home on Golden Pond Trail.
“I mean, it’s in my backyard, physically. I mean, it’s right here. This isn’t something you normally see in Elkhart in general, especially in this neighborhood,” said Annetta.
Two schools near the house also put on a secure hold after officials said the suspect of the shooting may have a connection to the school communities of Horizon Elementary and Discovery Middle School.
PHM sent the following to parents:
Dear Horizon Parents and Guardians,
We are writing to inform you that both Horizon Elementary and Discovery Middle School have been placed in Secure Mode. Secure Mode indicates there is a potential threat or danger located outside the school building, prompting the school to lock all exterior doors and bring everyone inside
We were notified by law enforcement of an active investigation regarding a shooting incident in Elkhart. Reports indicate the suspect may have a connection to our school communities. Please be assured that the safety of our students is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of all students and staff, we have initiated the following:
Get Inside, Lock Outside Doors: All students and staff were brought inside the buildings.
Secure Perimeter: All exterior doors are locked and are being monitored. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buildings until the Secure mode is lifted. Kids Clubs students are being dismissed as parents arrive and show proper identification.
Business as Usual: Inside the buildings, the school day is proceeding as normal. Classes are continuing, and students are safe in their learning environments.
We are in constant communication with local law enforcement and will provide an update as soon as the status changes or the Secure Mode is lifted.
We will update you via ParentSquare and our school website as more information becomes available.
A SWAT team stood off with guns drawn before finally entering the house just after 7 p.m. on Monday, and by 7:26 p.m., crime scene tape was put up.
“Yeah, it’s a sad situation for sure,” said Priebe.
“I hope it never happens again, and I hope nobody else has to experience it or the people who live near that home to worry about their homes. Are they on fire and see the SWAT team out there with rifles drawn, guns drawn at windows,” said Annetta.
This is a developing story, and we will keep you updated online and on air.
