IndianaLocalNews

Elkhart Police identify officers involved in Sunday shooting incident

Corporal Leonard Dolshenko (l), Sergeant Nathan Lanzen of the Elkhart Police Department (Photo supplied/Elkhart City Police Department)

The Elkhart Police Department has released the identities of the officers involved in the shooting incident on Sunday Dec. 4.

The officers who fired their weapons are Sergeant Nathan Lanzen, an 8 year veteran of the Elkhart police Department and Corporal Leonard Dolshenko, a 7 year veteran of the Elkhart Police Department. Both officers are on administrative leave pending further department follow up.

It was around 3:40 a.m. that officers were sent to an address in the 500 block of Capitol Boulevard in regard to a burglary. During that investigation, officers heard sounds of gunfire coming from the area of the 1800 block of DeCamp Avenue and responded on foot to investigate.

During an encounter with individuals leaving the DeCamp Avenue scene, Lanzen and Dolshenko discharged their weapons at a car which crashed.

Inside the vehicle, police found Norman Gary, 29, of Elkhart dead. Another person in the vehicle was injured. A third person was found injured nearby on DeCamp. A fourth individual arrived at Elkhart General Hospital also suffering injuries. The three survivors are said to be in their 20s.

Indiana State Police investigators say it likely will take at least several days before they receive results of ballistic tests to determine whether a police officer or someone else fired the fatal shot.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese said its not known who shot who and that the state police investigation would help determine that. Neese asked anyone with information to call police.

Elkhart police Sgt. Chris Snyder said the department is waiting for state police to complete their investigation into the shooting death of Gary. Snyder also said there is no indication race played a role in the shooting. Both officers are white, the victim was black.

There have been no arrests in connection with the burglary call, according to police. At this time, the report of the burglary does not appear to be connected with the shooting incidents.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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