(La Porte, IN) - Several La Porte City Police officers have been recognized for taking two people into custody, wanted for the shooting death of a child downstate.

 

About a month ago, Chief Paul Brettin said a car entering the city’s east side was picked up by a license plate reader with information provided by police in West Lafayette.

 

Officers monitoring the license plate reader located the vehicle in the 1300 block of Lincolnway before making a traffic stop.

 

La Porte Police Commissioner Terry Scherer said it was later discovered the individuals had 23 other active felony warrants.

 

The suspects were identified as Deonta Johnson, 27, and Shatia Welch, 24, both of West Lafayette.

 

A five-year-old boy managed to obtain a gun kept in their residence and fatally shot a one-year-old boy in the home in March. 

 

Officer Taylor Atkinson was among the five officers recognized during this week’s La Porte City Council meeting.

 

“Knowing we were part of bringing justice to these two individuals is an incredible feeling,” he said.

 

The other officers recognized for the apprehensions include Alex Mendoza, Brian Helmecy, Brian Allen and Jose Gonzalez.