Press Release

ELKHART — The three people killed and the two police officers injured in a shooting at a Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart on Monday evening have been identified.

According to a press release from the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office, Benjamin S. Jeffery, 49; and Annasue Rocha, 19, both of Elkhart, were killed by Juan M. Sanchez, 54. Rocha was a Martin’s employee and Jeffery was a customer at the time of Sanchez’s attack. Sanchez had moved to the area within the past year from Illinois.

The shooting occurred around 5:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart.

Numerous shots were fired by Sanchez inside the store, and several additional people were in significant danger as a result of his actions.

Sanchez then exited the store and was confronted by two Elkhart Police officers. He fired multiple times at the officers who responded by shooting and killing him.

Both police officers, Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak, were hit by Sanchez’s gunfire and are recovering from their injuries. Pasternak remains hospitalized at this time in fair and stable condition.

Vandenburg has served with EPD for over seven years and Pasternak has served with EPD for almost two years.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate the shooting. As the investigation is ongoing, anyone with additional information should call (574) 295-2825.