ST JOSEPH COUNTY, IN – According to the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, the manhunt for a suspect who was wanted by police for allegedly opening fire at officers while they were trying to serve a warrant has come to an end.
However, the manhunt didn’t end without incident, as one officer and a K9 were both shots during the confrontation. The suspect is also reportedly dead after the encounter following the search.
Here’s what we know so far.
The incident preceding the manhunt all started at around 11:45 a.m. on October 13th, when St. Joseph County Police Officers were attempting to serve a warrant for 30-year-old Rodney Ross related to alleged drugs and weapons charges.
When officers attempted to serve said warrant within the area of Cleveland Road and Lilac Road in South Bend, police say that Ross had opened fire at the officers and proceeded to flee on foot. That gunfire directed at officers during tat encounter did not result in any injury.
At the time following the initial encounter, Sheriff Bill Redman informed local residents to remain inside of their homes while law enforcement began shutting down various roads and started the search for the suspect.
By 1:30 p.m. on October 13th, law enforcement introduced the use of both K9 units and drones to assist in tracking down the wanted suspect. By around 4:00 p.m., the police had located Ross.
Reports indicate that Ross had no intention of going in quietly.
When investigators caught up with the suspect, he allegedly opened fire on officers – striking one officer in the leg and also shooting a police K9. Officers returned fire on Ross, which resulted in Ross dying from said sustained gunfire.
The officer shot in the leg was said to have only sustained a minor injury from the wound, but the status of the K9 is unclear at this time. The K9 has been reported as currently being treated by a veterinarian.
The original warrant that Ross was wanted on was said to have originated in Elkhart County, in which those charges were for manufacturing methamphetamine at least 10 grams, possession of methamphetamine, and carrying a handgun without a license.
This is a developing story. Please follow Law Enforcement Today to receive updates as this case develops.
source:https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/