News Release-EPD Investigating Shooting, State St, 7.21.26

Update 2: Suspect Charged in Shooting, 400 block of State St

Update 2, 7.28.26 at 10:40 a.m.: The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office charged Charles Edward Dean Wolfe, 51 years old of Elkhart, with Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Domestic Batterer, a Class A Misdemeanor, in connection with an Elkhart Police Department shooting investigation and arrest (case no. 20D01-2607-F3-000019). An Elkhart County judicial officer previously ordered him held without bail until his initial hearing this afternoon.

Wolfe is accused of shooting his 54-year-old neighbor on July 21, 2026, in the 400 block of State St. Elkhart Police Department officers subsequently located and arrested Wolfe early in the morning of July 22, 2026.

Update 1, 7.22.26 at 8:15 a.m.: Earlier this morning Elkhart Police Department officers and detectives arrested a male suspect in connection with yesterday evening’s shooting in the 400 block of State St. He was booked into the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges in connection with this incident. This arrest will be forwarded to the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges. EPD will release the name of the individual arrested if and when a judicial officer finds probable cause for the arrest and sets bail.

At last information, the victim, a 54-year-old man, remains in critical condition, but his injuries were no longer believed to be life-threatening.

Original Release, 7.21.26:

The Elkhart Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that occurred earlier this evening in the 400 block of State St, Elkhart.

Today, July 21, 2026, at about 7:22 p.m., the Elkhart 911 Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting with injuries in the 400 block of State St. Elkhart Police Department officers dispatched and arrived in the area shortly thereafter. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound(s). Elkhart Fire Department medics treated him at the scene and transported him to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries.

Elkhart Police Department officers collected evidence at the scene. At this time no arrests have been made, and this remains an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information about this investigation, please call the Elkhart Police Department at 574-295-7070 or Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

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