Michigan City- The LaPorte County Coroner has authorized the following information to be released. The deceased has been identified as Jorge Meza, 21, from South Bend, Indiana. Indiana State Police detectives were able to make notification to family last night and additional family members were notified this morning. An autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday, April 6th. No further information can be released at this time.
Original News Release is below.
Michigan City- At the request of Michigan City Police Chief Marty Corley, the Indiana State Police District 13 Investigations Section has been requested to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred this (Friday) evening.
Preliminary information shows that at approximately 5:30 p.m., an officer with the Michigan City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a red Dodge SUV for an equipment violation in the 5800 block of South Franklin Street. During the traffic stop, an armed male subject fled on foot from the scene and officers initiated a foot pursuit. During that chase, an officer discharged their firearm, striking the suspect. The suspect was immediately rendered first aid and transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City where he was pronounced deceased. The name of the suspect will be released once positive identification has been made and family notified. An autopsy will be completed by the LaPorte County Coroner.
No further information can be released as this is an active investigation. Once all body camera and in-car videos have been reviewed and the investigation completed, it will be submitted to the LaPorte County Prosecutor for review.
The following information is included at the request of the Michigan City Police Department. Police Chief Corley indicated that the identification of the officer will be forthcoming once all interviews have been completed. Chief Corley has placed the officer(s) involved in the incident on paid administrative leave which is in accordance with the department’s policies while the Indiana State Police investigation is being conducted.