Three people are dead and two police officers are recovering after a shooting incident at Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart Monday, January 27.
According to a press release issued by the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, 49-year-old Benjamin S. Jeffery, and 19-year-old Annasue Rocha, both of Elkhart, were killed by a lone gunman at approximately 5:45 p.m. in the Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart.
Rocha was an employee of Martin’s. Jeffery was a customer at the time of the gunman’s attack. Numerous shots were fired by the gunman inside the store, and several additional people were in significant danger as a result of his actions.
The gunman then exited the store and was confronted by two Elkhart police officers. The gunman fired multiple times at the officers who responded by shooting and killing him. Both police officers, Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak, were struck by the suspect’s gunfire and are recovering from their injuries. One of the officers, Patrolman Pasternak, remains hospitalized at this time in fair and stable condition.
The suspect that killed both Jeffery and Rocha is identified as 54-year-old Juan M. Sanchez who had moved to the area within the past year from Illinois.
The Elkhart County Homicide Unit was activated to investigate the entire incident, both the actions of the gunman, as well as the actions of the police officers. That investigation is actively underway with collection of numerous types of evidence, witness interviews, and the gathering of background information.
As the investigation is ongoing, anyone with additional information should call 574-295-2825.
