News Release-EPD Investigating Shooting, W. Hively Ave, 8.22.26

Updated Release-Suspect Charged After Shooting Arrest, 245 W. Hively Ave

Updated Release, 8/25/26 at 4:00 p.m.: The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal criminal charges after the Elkhart Police Department arrested a suspect in Saturday’s shooting at 245 W. Hively Ave.

The Prosecutor’s Office charged Justin O. Murillo Rodriguez, 20 years old of Elkhart, with Criminal Recklessness, a Level 5 Felony (case no. 20D01-2608-F5-000188). An Elkhart County judicial officer previously set his bond at $50,000 corporate surety. He has since posted bond and is no longer in the custody of the Elkhart County Jail.

As previously released, on August 22, 2026, at approximately 1:45 a.m., an Elkhart Police Department officer on patrol heard gunfire and traveled toward Prairie St and W Lusher Ave to attempt to locate a scene, as did other officers. A woman flagged down an EPD officer near 245 W. Hively Ave where officers located a scene in the parking lot at this location. While investigating, officers learned of a 20-year-old male walk-in gunshot wound patient (Justin O. Murillo Rodriguez) at the hospital.

Initial investigation indicates that several vehicles and multiple individuals were outside the gas station when the shooting occurred. Murillo Rodriguez allegedly fired towards a vehicle first during the incident. Several additional shots were subsequently fired by what appeared to be multiple people. Murillo Rodriguez was treated at the hospital and medically cleared. He was subsequently arrested on preliminary charges in connection with this investigation and transported to the Elkhart County Jail.

No other injuries were reported in connection with this incident. At this time, no further arrests have been made, and this remains an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information, please call the Elkhart Police Department at 574-295-7070 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Original Release, 8.22.26:

The Elkhart Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that occurred earlier this morning in front of 245 W. Hively Ave, Elkhart, in which multiple individuals were involved. One individual sustained non-life threatening injuries and was subsequently taken into custody.

This morning, at approximately 1:45 a.m., an Elkhart Police Department officer on patrol heard gunfire and traveled toward Prairie St and W Lusher Ave to attempt to locate a scene, as did other officers. A woman flagged down an EPD officer near 245 W. Hively Ave where officers located a scene in the parking lot at this location. While investigating, officers learned of a 20-year-old male walk-in gunshot wound patient at the hospital.

Initial investigation indicates that several vehicles and multiple individuals were outside the gas station when the shooting occurred, and that several shots were fired by what appeared to be multiple people during the incident. The 20-year-old man gunshot wound patient was treated at the hospital and medically cleared. He was subsequently arrested on preliminary charges in connection with this investigation and transported to the Elkhart County Jail. This arrest will be forwarded to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office for review of former criminal charges.

No other injuries were reported in connection with this incident. At this time, no further arrests have been made, and this remains an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information, please call the Elkhart Police Department at 574-295-7070 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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