Elkhart mass shooting leaves 1 dead

ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — One person is dead and multiple people are hurt after an early morning shooting in Elkhart.

Police were called out to the 300 block of West Garfield Avenue just after 1:00 a.m. Sunday for a shots fired report.

Captain Travis Hamlin with the Elkhart Police Department said, “A shots fired call did come out. We did locate injured people. We rendered aid to who we could, who was there.”

Authorities said 12 people were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. One of those people later died.

The name of the person has yet to be released, but they were a male who was also a father.

The City of Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson explained the significance of losing a father on Father’s Day.

“We understand that whether it’s any holiday, but you would hate for a father or for kids to lose their father,” said Roberson.

Elkhart Police said some people have been treated and released from the hospital. There is no word on how many remain hospitalized.

Officials said an initial investigation indicates multiple people were firing shots during the incident.

According to a social media post, there was a block party that took place in the area.

This has yet to be confirmed by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit.

WSBT 22 visited the area and found signs that a gathering had recently taken place.

That property displayed a canopy tent with empty bottles and trash along the road.

One neighbor WSBT 22 spoke with off camera told us the Elkhart Police Department did visit the area multiple times Saturday evening related to the gathering, even minutes before the mass shooting took place.

“Some people that were not involved at all, potentially with what was going on, just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and that people have such disregard for their safety as well,” said Captain Hamlin.

“This is a senseless act of gun violence that we know is way too prevalent in our country and obviously way too prevalent in our city,” said Mayor Roberson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Elkhart Police at (574)-295-7070.

An anonymous tip can also be submitted to Michiana Crime Stoppers at (574)-288-STOP.