The Indiana State Police has been requested by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department and the Elkhart Police Department to investigate a police action shooting that occurred around 3:00 a.m. on December 16, 2018.

Preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 3:00 a.m., Elkhart County Deputy Justin Yoder attempted to stop a red 2005 Mazda for a traffic violation near CR 4 and CR 9 in Elkhart County.

The driver of the Mazda, Michael Christian, 27 of Elkhart reportedly did not stop and a pursuit began, with Sgt. Nathan Lanzen from Elkhart Police Department assisting.

The pursuit entered the North Lake Apartment complex when Christian stopped his car and fled on foot.

As other officers arrived to assist, Christian attempted to enter an apartment with a key located at 52074 Brookstream Circle when a physical struggle ensued at the entrance to the apartment. At approximately 3:04 a.m.

Lanzen’s handgun discharged as a result of the struggle. Yoder is reported to have fired his handgun as well. Nobody was struck as a result of either firearm discharging.

Christian was arrested on several charges as a result of the pursuit by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department.

Yoder is a 4 ½ year veteran with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department. Lanzen has been a member of the Elkhart Police Department for 10 years.

This is an ongoing investigation and no other information will be released at this time. At the conclusion of the investigation all information will be turned over to the Elkhart County Prosecutor for review.

The Wayne County Coroner, Ron Stevens, has authorized the Indiana State Police to confirm the descendants identity as previously released by the coroner’s office and the preliminary autopsy results.

The deceased is Brandon Clegg, age 14 of Richmond, IN.  The preliminary autopsy results indicate the manner of death was a single self- inflicted gunshot wound. The coroner has not authorized the Indiana State Police to release the location of the gunshot wound. There is no indication of any other gunshot wounds or trauma to Clegg.

The coroner requested that we emphasize that this is a preliminary autopsy result, and that the final results will not be available for several weeks. This is all the information that the coroner can release at this time, pending the final autopsy results.

The Indiana State Police can also confirm that the source of the 9-1-1 call yesterday, that alerted authorities and school officials to the imminent danger, was placed by the suspect’s mother, Mary York, age 42 of Richmond. We would also like to remind the public and media that the actual 9-1-1 audio recording is evidence in an ongoing investigation and cannot be released at this time.

Once the investigation into the incident is completed, it will be forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for their review. This is all the information that can be released at this time.

Wednesday morning, a criminal investigation by officers from the Indiana State Police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force resulted in the arrest of Noel Berry, 60 Peru IN. Berry was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face eight felony charges for possession of child pornography.

Officers initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a tip, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, about Berry possibly possessing a nude image of a child. During the course of the investigation, officers developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant for a residence at 513 Monroe Avenue, Peru, IN. This is the home where Berry resided. During their search, and forensic examination of Bell’s computers and telecommunication devices, officers allegedly found eight separate images of child pornography.

If the public has information about exploited children they are asked to report it by calling the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOSS. (843-5677).

A shooter at a Richmond, Indiana school todaywas shot and killed by police. No students were injured. 

Information that can be released now is the Indiana State Police can confirm that shortly after 8 this morning the Richmond PD dispatch center alerted area law enforcement agencies of a potential violent act that could occur at the Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond, IN. 

Officers from multiple agencies responded to the school, which had already been placed on lockdown. 

As officers arrived, they confronted the teenage suspect outside the school who then reportedly shot out the glass of a locked entry door to the school, and ran inside with police officers in pursuit. 

The suspect, once in the school, and being pursued exchanged gunfire with police officers. 

The teenage suspect is deceased the result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.  No officers were injured and it has not been determined if the suspect was wounded by police. 

It is important to emphasize that due to the result of advance notification of the potential for a violent act at the school, the school had initiated their lockdown procedure which clearly prevented injury to students and faculty even though the suspect was able to enter the school.

We are aware that the public and media have many questions about what led up to this event.  These are the same questions being asked by law enforcement.  The Indiana State Police is the lead investigative agency and will continue to work with all law enforcement partners to gain a full understanding of all the circumstances and may release additional information at 1:30 this afternoon.

A four-day search for an 88-year-old man missing from the Pekin area since Thursday, Dec. 4 ended this afternoon after police recovered the body of Joseph L. Brown. 

According to Washington County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brad Naugle, Brown was found approximately half-mile from his vehicle. 

Naugle said Brown was located at approximately 1:30p and was recovered by the sheriff’s department, Indiana State Police and Blue River Fire Rescue Unit. 

Naugle noted he was found on a very steep, rocky hillside.

The area was searched by foot, vehicle, boat and air. 

Police said there was no indication of foul play. 

According to Chief Deputy Brent Miller, Clark County Sheriff’s Department also sent a helicopter to assist with the search. 

Police recovered Brown’s red 2015 Buick Enclave Sunday afternoon and began searching the area; much of which is on private property around Winslow Lake. 

Brown was reported missing from Martinsburg, Indiana and a silver alert was issued last Thursday afternoon.

Brown, a white male, was 6 feet 0 inches tall, 190 pounds, with white hair and blue eyes. He was reported to have carried a cane, wore a Catholic Scapular necklace. 

Police reported originally thought Brown was believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED: Washington County Sheriffs Department, Indiana Conservation, Indiana State Police, Southern Indiana Search and Rescue, Members from all county Fire Departments, Jeff Craig K9 Search Team, EMA, APS, Washington County Coroner, Arbys and Main Street Pizza.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the silver alert for an 88-year-old from Pekin was cancelled at 2:51p today.

One of Brown’s family members confirmed to WSLM that his body was found this afternoon.

“We are saddened to say his body was found earlier today,” said neice Teresa Bryan.

Brown has been driving a red 2015 Buick Encore with Indiana handicap plate D185XR and the vehicle was recovered near Winslow Lake, northwest of Salem on Sunday. 

A search began Sunday and continued through this afternoon on private properties surrounding the area. 

Washington County Sheriff Roger Newlon said a release will be issued very soon from Deputy Brad Naugle, who is the investigating officer. 

Early this morning at aproximately 2:00, Trooper Tyler Widner attempted to stop Rasheen Middleton, 30, of Evansville, for a license plate violation on Diamond Avenue near First Avenue. Middleton failed to stop and continued south on Fulton Avenue reaching approximately 100 mph.

The vehicle continued south on SE Riverside Drive until coming to a final rest at Oak Street after driving over a concrete median.

 ‘/tMiddleton fled on foot, but he was located in a nearby garage by an Evansville Police K-9 unit. He was taken to the Vanderburgh County where he is currently being held without bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Rasheen Middleton, 30, Evansville, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal, Class C Misdemeanor
4. Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor
5. Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

Investigating Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

Despite local rumors this morning, the 88-year-old man from Pekin has still not been found. 

A post online this morning mentioned Joseph Brown had been found early Monday morning.

According to Washington County Sheriff Roger Newlon, Brown still has not been found and the search continues. 

Brown, 88 of Pekin, was reported as missing from the Voyles Road area last Thursday.

A Silver Alert was issued on Friday, Dec. 7 after 4p. 

Police located Brown’s vehicle, a red 2015 Buick Enclave, near Winlsow Lake, northwest of Salem, on Sunday afternoon. 

A search has continued during daylight hours ever since. 

The area is on private property and according to Washington County Deputy Sheriff Brent Miller, he is asking for the public to help by notifying the department if they have information about Brown. 

“The police, fire department members and other emergency personnel are conducting a search today,” said Miller. “Because this is private property, no members of the public can be allowed to help search due to liability issues. However, if anyone out there has any knowledge of Mr. Brown’s whereabouts, or if you’ve picked him up over the last few days, please call 812.883.2834 and let the sheriff’s department know.”

Mr. Brown carries a cane and wears a catholic scapular necklace. He also has a tendency to get confused and or lost.

Deputy Brad Naugle is the investigating officer.