Two shoppers dead, two police officers injured in deadly supermarket shootout

ELKHART, IN - Law enforcement authorities shared the news Monday of the day’s tragic grocery store shooting that left two innocent people dead, two police officers injured and the assailant dead as well. The gunman, identified by prosecutors as 54-year-old Juan Sanchez, reportedly attacked and killed Benjamin Jeffery, 49, and 19-year-old Annasue Rocha, a store employee.

According to local news outlet WSBT, the shots rang out on Monday evening just after 5:30 p.m. Responding officers Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak engaged Sanchez in a firefight outside of the store and were both wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Sanchez was struck by returned fire and killed.
 
Both victims, Jeffrey and Rocha were pronounced dead at the scene. The outlet reported that at least 14 Police vehicles were seen responding to the mass shooting and a nearby hospital was placed on lockdown when the two injured officers were transported for treatment.
 
Mayor Rod Roberson told the outlet in a statement, “Our hearts are broken in Elkhart tonight. Please continue to pray for the victims including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those at the incident. There is no immediate danger to the public. If there were any witnesses or if you have information, please contact the Elkhart County Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825.”

According to Elkhart Police, no motive has been identified as of this report however, one witness told WSBT that she heard an argument between Rocha and Sanchez followed by gunfire.

“I heard people screaming and crying back there and I thought oh my God what if he got back here. And ran out the back door with some people, and ran across the tracks,” Sue Witmer, a Martin’s shopper told reporters.

A spokesman for Martin’s Supermarket told WSBT in a Tuesday statement, “Our team feel immeasurable sadness as we mourn yesterday's tragedy and the unimaginable loss of lives. We are working to best support the impacted families, our associates, the first responders, and the entire Elkhart community. We are thankful for the quick action of our associates and police officers, and we'll continue to work alongside police to support their investigation.”

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Pasternak is still hospitalized but is recovering in fair and stable condition. Corporal Vandenburg was treated and released Monday night.
 
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