Police in Mishawaka are investigating two cases of firearms-related cases.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, several shots were fired outside of 4002 St. Andrews Circle.  This is in The Element apartment complex off of West Edison Road.  An unknown suspect fired a series of shots in the parking lot.   A total of four vehicles were struck by bullets.   Projectiles and shell casings were recovered.  Fortunately, there were no persons injured.  If anyone has any information on this case, they are asked to call the Mishawaka Police Detective Bureau at 574-258-1684.  Or they can call Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP (7867).

Then, around 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, Nov 2, officers were sent to the Phoenix Bar, 101 Lincoln Way East.   Two males were denied entry due to being intoxicated and belligerent.  One of the males then decided to pull a gun and point it at one of the security guards/bouncers.  This male, 25 years old from South Bend, was arrested on a felony charge of pointing a firearm (at another person).  His cohort, a 27-year-old male also from South Bend was also arrested.  He was arrested for public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.  As with the St. Andrews Circle incident, there was no one injured.  These men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Mishawaka Police Department wants to stress the use of responsible behavior with firearms.  There is no excuse to randomly fire shots anywhere, including a parking lot.  Nor is there an excuse to possess any firearm while intoxicated, let alone point it at someone because you’re denied entry to a business.