St. Joseph County police say a man accused in an attempted home invasion on Monday morning, Jan. 19, led officers on a pursuit that ended in a crash, a foot chase, and an officer-involved shooting investigation near the intersection of State Road 23 and Gumwood Road.

According to the St. Joseph County Police Department, officers were dispatched around 5 a.m. to the 13000 block of State Road 23 for a reported home invasion. As officers arrived, a vehicle with multiple occupants was seen leaving the driveway. Police say verbal commands to stop were ignored, and a pursuit began. Due to winter road conditions, officers terminated the chase shortly afterward.

Minutes later, the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle near Gumwood and State Road 23, disabling the car. The driver—identified by police as 34-year-old Dustin Pate—allegedly fled on foot.

Officers pursued Pate, who police say made threats to harm them and attempted to enter another vehicle. A struggle followed, during which officers deployed a police K-9. Investigators say Pate punched the K-9, then assaulted two officers. Police allege Pate disarmed one officer of their firearm, causing the weapon to discharge during the struggle. No one was struck by the bullet.

Police say Pate then used the firearm to strike an officer in the face before being subdued and taken into custody. He was transported to a hospital for medical clearance and then booked into jail.

Under an interlocal agreement, the incident is being investigated by the Mishawaka Police Department and South Bend Police Department.

Authorities stress that the allegations are accusations only and that Pate is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Potential charges listed by investigators include two counts of attempted murder, attempted residential entry, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash, intimidation, attempted unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, attempted vehicle theft, resisting law enforcement by drawing a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon, disarming a law enforcement officer, striking a law enforcement animal, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.

Investigators ask anyone with additional information to contact the Mishawaka Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 574-258-1678.