Press Release

PLYMOUTH — The Indiana State Police have been requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving a St. Joseph County Police Department deputy and a Mishawaka Police Department officer.

Preliminary information indicates that police responded to a shots fired call in the 200 block of South Dixie Way in Roseland around 5:08 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. A St. Joseph County deputy spotted the suspect vehicle, a black 2004 Lincoln SUV, minutes later, and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle’s driver fled, leading responding officers in a pursuit which eventually headed south on Capital Avenue/Elm Road. Mishawaka Police Department officers joined in the pursuit.

The Lincoln’s driver drove into a field about 1/2 mile south of the intersection of Elm and Tyler Roads in Marshall County. The driver then fled on foot. Officers located the suspect and shots were fired by a St. Joseph County deputy and a Mishawaka Police Department officer. The suspect, identified as Johnny Lee Wood, 54, Elkhart, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Family has been notified.

An autopsy is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, Dec. 26, at the Marshall County Forensic Center.

Questions regarding the status of the involved officers can be directed to the St. Joseph County Police Department and the Mishawaka Police Department.

At the conclusion of this investigation, all information will be turned over to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for review. There is no other information to release currently.