Investigation underway after deadly shooting at Martin’s Super Market in Elkhart – WSBT-TV
Now 35 Thu 45 Fri 38by Kyland Hall and Nick Oudhoff, WSBT 22 ReportersTOPICS:ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — It is a quiet afternoon outside the Martin’s Super Market on East Jackson Boulevard as investigators work inside the store after a deadly shooting less than 24-hours ago.Two people are dead after a shooting Monday evening inside the Martin’s Super Market in downtown Elkhart.The Elkhart County Prosecutors Office has identified those two as 49-year-old Benjamin Jeffery and 19-year-old Annasue Rocha, both of Elkhart. Rocha was a Martin’s employee.The suspect was also killed in a shootout with police just outside the store – since identified as 54-year-old Juan Sanchez. Sanchez had moved to the area from Illinois within the last year.Two officers were hit in that exchange of gunfire – Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak. Pasternak remains hospitalized in fair and stable condition. Vandenburg was released from the hospital Monday night.Investigative units with the Elkhart County Homicide Unit were at the store early Tuesday morning, working to uncover what happened.Shots were fired at the downtown Elkhart Martin’s just after 5:30 p.m. Monday.Officers engaged with the suspect outside the store, during which police exchanged gunfire with the suspect.Cpl Vandenburg has served with the Elkhart Police Department for more than seven years. Ptl Pasternak has served with the Elkhart Police Department for almost two years.The suspected shooter was shot and killed outside.One witness says she heard arguing between Rocha and the suspect and eventually gun shots.“I heard people screaming and crying back there and I thought oh my God what if he got back here. And ran out the back door with some people, and ran across the tracks,” said Sue Witmer, shopper in Martin’s.One witness from a neighboring apartment, Jasmine Diver, reflected on the tragic situation.”Traumatizing and devastating, and it affects people different. And I’m just kind of here to tell what happened and what I saw , what I heard, and unfortunately some people are affected a little bit differently. We just kind of stay safe out here, it’s supposed to be a safe place to live, and this is right outside my door, right outside where I live. My first thought was ‘Where’s it coming from? Do they need help? I need to call 911,’ and then when I looked down and I saw the body, it took me back,” said Diver.“It’s horrible. We shouldn’t have to live like this,” said Witmer.It is also still unknown where inside the store the shooting took place.A spokesperson with Martin’s Supermarket sent a statement to WSBT 22 News Tuesday morning saying:No motive has been determined at this time as well, as the investigation is ongoing.The Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard remains closed Tuesday.Customers who were at the store at the time of the shooting are now able to pick their vehicles up from the parking lot.Community leaders continue to show their support for the grieving community on Tuesday.Congressman Rudy Yakym (R) released a statement Tuesday saying:The Community Foundation of Elkhart County announced Tuesday their Community Crisis Fund will help the families impacted by the shooting during this difficult time.All proceeds from the fund will go toward the grieving families.Also, a candlelight vigil was scheduled for Tuesday night at 6:30.
