News Release-Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder in July Stabbing, 9.10.26

News Release-Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder in July Stabbing, 9.10.26

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office has charged an Elkhart man with Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony, in a July stabbing in which the male victim sustained a severe head injury.

On July 23, 2026, at approximately 4:28 p.m., Elkhart Police Department officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Maple Row, Elkhart, for an unknown medical call with an injured man. Officers and Elkhart Fire Department medics arrived in the area and located the injured man, 46-years-old. Medics rendered aid and transported him to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of a severe head injury. During the investigation, officers located a crime scene and gathered evidence indicating that an assault/stabbing had occurred and that the injured man was the victim.

Throughout the investigation, an Elkhart Police Department detective identified a suspect in the stabbing, which led to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office filing formal criminal charges in Elkhart Circuit Court. Jeffery M. Estep, 35 years old of Elkhart, is charged with one count of Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony (case no. 20C01-2609-F1-000015). He was arrested on this charge on September 9, 2026, and remains in the custody of the Elkhart County Jail.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. If anyone has additional information on this case, please contact Det. Hauser at 574-295-7070 or call the EPD anonymous tip line at 574-389-4777 (please reference Elkhart Police Department case number 20260723023).   

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

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