SOUTH BEND, IN (WSBT) — Indiana State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting involving the South Bend Police Department near Portage Avenue and Cleveland Road.
In South Bend, a woman is dead after what police are calling a “mental episode.”
Police were called to the Phillips 66 gas station on Portage Road for a welfare check before shots were fired.
There was a heavy police presence from multiple departments at around 3 p.m. in the afternoon.
South Bend Police are at an officer-involved shooting near Portage Avenue and Cleveland Road. (WSBT Photo)
Police responded to a call on Wednesday afternoon a mother called and said her daughter was having a mental episode and wanted police to do a welfare check, but that woman is now dead.
Multiple South Bend, Indiana State, and St. Joe County Police units responded to the officer-involved shooting on South Bend’s northwest side at the Phillips 66 gas station on Portage Avenue near the Cleveland Road intersection.
Police said they received a call from a mother who said her 25-year-old daughter was having a mental episode and she was possibly armed.
“And we believe that she was armed when encountered by officers, but that’s obviously going to be part of the investigation as well,” said Sgt. Ted Bohner, Indiana State Police. “But then at 4:10 PM, the female was pronounced deceased.”
In a press release, Indiana State Police said that surveillance footage showed the woman with a handgun before shots were fired by a South Bend officer.
The woman was transported to a local hospital where she later died.
WSBT
“I just know that at least one South Bend officer fired, we do know that.” said Chief Scott Ruszkowski, South Bend Police.
With multiple departments involved, the investigation has now been taken over by Indiana State Police as they review bodycam footage and determine what led up to the shooting.
Police did confirm no officers were hurt and there is no threat to the public.
Per department policy, any officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.