2 dead after 2 shootings and a high-speed chase from Fort Wayne to Whitley County

WHITLEY CO., Ind. (WANE)— Two men died after a shooting turned into a police chase that spanned two counties, and ended with an officer-involved shooting Sunday night.

The Fort Wayne Police Department was dispatched to Hinton Dr., northwest of downtown, at 7:29 p.m. on reports that a person had been shot at a home in the 1600 block. Responding officers found a man who had been shot, and after being transferred to a local hospital, he died.

While responding to the scene, a caller gave police a description of a car believed to be the suspect’s. That car was seen driving away from the scene. Once officers caught up to the suspect, a pursuit started as the driver failed to pull over.

The chase lasted about 20 minutes and went through western Allen County before crossing into Whitley County, according to the Fort Wayne Police Department. That chase ended with the suspect crashing at State Rd. 9 and 100 E south of Columbia City.

After crashing, the suspect started shooting at officers. Officers from several responding agencies returned fire. Then a brief standoff ensued as the Fort Wayne Emergency Services Team (EST) and Crisis Response Team arrived.

Officers and medics on the Whitley County scene eventually determined the driver, a man, was dead. He was the only person in the vehicle and no other vehicles/persons were involved, according to FWPD.

No officers were seriously injured during the chase or exchange of gunfire. A state trooper had minor injuries after being hit by broken glass, according to an update Monday from Indiana State Police.

The officer-involved shooting will be investigated by the Indiana State Police, according to standard protocol. Any FWPD officers involved will be placed on standard administrative leave.

FWPD homicide detectives were still investigating what occurred at the original scene of Fort Wayne’s northwest side, and processing that scene. Police said they don’t yet know what led up to that shooting. As of early Monday morning, detectives were conducting interviews with witnesses.