News Release

WHITLEY COUNTY — The Whitley County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the man who fired at officers and died in the officer involved shooting on Sunday, April 20, in Whitley County.

Christifer Debus, 38, Fort Wayne, was the person involved in the pursuit and the officer involved shooting. The results of the autopsy are pending and the cause of death is still not determined.

It has also been determined that Debus fired, at close range, at an Indiana State Police Trooper after the trooper attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique to end the pursuit of the homicide suspect. This technique is used by trained law enforcement officers to make contact at a controlled speed to push the rear of the violator vehicle to the point it spins causing the violator to stop.

At the conclusion of this investigation all information will be turned over to the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office for review. At this time there is no other information available. The investigation is still ongoing and updates will continue as information does become available.

Original Release

Detectives from the Indiana State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting that took place on April 20 just before 8 p.m. on SR 9 south of Columbia City.

Earlier in the evening, Fort Wayne Police Department was called to a possible homicide. They were given a vehicle description the suspect was reported leaving the scene in. The vehicle was located and ended up being pursued by FWPD. Troopers from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post joined the pursuit which ended in Whitley County. Along with FWPD and ISP, Whitley County and Allen County Sheriff’s departments also joined this pursuit of the homicide suspect as it went through several jurisdictions. At some point near the end of the pursuit, the suspect fired shots at officers. Officers from several agencies returned fire.

After a brief standoff, officers were able to make contact with the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. There were no other people in the vehicle. One trooper sustained minor injuries from being struck by broken glass. All Indiana State Police Troopers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer involved shootings.

Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by Indiana State Police SWAT, Fort Wayne Police Department, Fort Wayne Police Department EST (SWAT), Fort Wayne Police Department ESU (DRONE), Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department,  Whitley County Coroner’s office, and Parkview EMS.