(La Porte County, IN) - Residents in Galena and Kankakee Townships were on guard Friday evening as police tracked down a gunman who shot at a State Trooper.
Upon being flagged down by residents on County Road 125 East, just south of 900 North, the officer was checking the identity of two people on foot, a man and woman, when the man drew a gun and opened fire, striking the ISP patrol car but not the trooper who was in it.
A multi-agency manhunt ensued, leading police to a nearby residence, where the shooter was found in the basement with a fatal, apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 20-year old female from Elkhart was taken into custody.
Here is the full statement issued by State Police Friday night:
This afternoon at approximately 3:15 p.m., an Indiana State Trooper was flagged down by a concerned citizen who reported two suspicious individuals walking on C.R. 125 E., south of C.R. 900 N. in rural La Porte County. The individuals had reportedly approached a family member and were described as acting suspicious.
The trooper located the pair, a male and a female, and began speaking with them. During the interaction, the trooper asked the male for identification. While the trooper was seated in his patrol car and the individuals remained outside, the male removed a firearm from his waistband. The trooper accelerated away, and the male suspect fired at the trooper, striking the patrol car twice. The trooper was not injured.
The trooper then observed both individuals flee into a wooded area near 8525 N. 125 E. Additional units responded to the scene. The female suspect later emerged from the woods and surrendered. The male suspect was not located, prompting a manhunt.
At approximately 7:40 p.m., the Indiana State Police SWAT team entered a residence at 8325 N. 125 E. While searching the house, officers located the suspect in the basement. The suspect was deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was also found near the suspect. Identification of the deceased is pending confirmation by the La Porte County Coroner. Initial reports of a possible third suspect were determined to be incorrect.
The female, Erica D. Bowman, 20, of Elkhart, IN, was taken into custody and transported to the La Porte County Jail. Charges against Bowman are pending prosecutor review.
Agencies assisting included the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, Lake County Aviation, and the Indiana State Police Lowell, Bremen, and Toll Road posts.
