Authorities are uncovering details about Monday night’s shooting at Martin’s Super Market.

Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker urged the public to stay aware of their surroundings—not out of fear, but for safety. She emphasized the importance of paying attention in daily life.

The victims, Annasue Rocha, 19, and Benjamin Jeffery, 49, were unable to prevent the attack. Rocha, a store employee, was assisting Juan Sanchez, 54, at self-checkout when he displayed a gun, grabbed her wrist, and threatened her. A customer noticed Rocha’s distress and alerted a manager, who attempted to de-escalate. Sanchez then shot Rocha, killing her, before firing at fleeing customers and fatally shooting Jeffery.

Thanks to employee training and quick reactions, more lives were saved. Sanchez fled but was soon confronted by police, Becker stated.

Becker stated Sanchez had a history of troubling behavior, including a protective order in Illinois, though no prior complaints were filed in Elkhart County. Investigators are now reviewing additional reports involving him.

She urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation out of respect for those affected.

Elkhart County Prosecutor’s full statement:

At approximately 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 27, 2025, Juan Sanchez, an adult male age 54, had been inside the Martin’s store for about 20 minutes. During that time, he observed other young females in the store, loaded beer and wine into his cart, then proceeded to the self-checkout area where Annie was working. He paused there, then approached a self-checkout lane and scanned his first alcoholic beverage, then waited for Annie to approach him to check his ID. Annie took his ID back to her register, and as she approached him again to return his ID, Sanchez removed a gun from his coat pocket, displaying it for her to see. He then grabbed Annie’s wrist and spoke to her, leading her a few steps toward the exit. Annie spoke to him and was visibly shaken, but not able to flee due to his hold on her and the gun

Another female customer observed what she perceived to be harassment by Sanchez toward Annie and immediately notified a manager, who was close by. That manager quickly responded and confronted Sanchez, which gave Annie the opportunity to turn away and step back. However, Sanchez then turned to Annie and shot her, causing her death. Sanchez then fired toward the manager and others who had already begun to run toward the exit. Sanchez then turned back toward the interior of the store and fired again toward the patrons that were running from the self-checkout area, including Benjamin Jeffery and his wife, striking Benjamin.

Sanchez began pushing his cart toward the exit. He stopped, walked back to Annie’s body, and shot her numerous additional times as she lay on the floor. Sanchez left the store with his cart and walked across the street, then around the east side of the apartment building to the south of the store where law enforcement officers encountered him shortly thereafter.

What we know at this point is that Sanchez was drawn to significantly younger females and had recently had some changes in his personal life that eroded whatever prior self-regulation he may have had.
Other reports of suspicious behavior involving young females have been reported since Monday. In each case, the young lady avoided further contact with Sanchez. One reported that she had obtained a protective order in Illinois to cease contact approximately two to three years ago. Although a police report was made, no further documentation has been found demonstrating additional formal action.

Mr. Sanchez appears to have moved to his most recent apartment in the Elkhart area in April of 2024. However, no reports have been located documenting complaints to Elkhart County law enforcement professionals regarding Mr. Sanchez.

I want to conclude my comments with a request for people to stop spreading gossip, rumors, and speculation about this tragedy. If you are not someone that has personal information about a topic, you have no business spreading information. Social media commentary is not helpful, paints a false picture, and creates false narratives that cause harm and misinformation.

Out of respect for all of those who have experienced this unspeakable trauma and are trying to navigate the emotions and circumstances of the healing process necessary, seeing the false information is extremely troubling and interferes with that process.

To the Martin’s supermarket employees, to the family, friends, loved ones of Annie Rocha and Ben Jeffery, to the lady that notified the manager and the manager that led others to safety, to countless police officers and first responders that helped, and to every member of our community and beyond that are praying for, and supporting these people, we are with you. Your experiences, your courage to keep on, and your strength to seek healing, are all examples of the good in our beloved community. Thank you for your examples of leadership.