News Release-Suspect in Fremont St Shooting, Domestic Battery Investigation Charged, 10.20.26

News Release-Suspect in Fremont St Shooting, Domestic Battery Investigation Charged, 10.20.26

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office has charged an 18-year-old man with three felonies in connection with his arrest in last week’s Fremont St shooting and domestic battery investigation.

On October 16, 2026, at approximately 9:59 a.m., the Elkhart 911 Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance involving a possibly armed individual that had threatened to shoot the caller at a residence in the 800 block of Fremont Street, Elkhart.

Elkhart Police Department officers were dispatched and arrived in the area shortly thereafter. While officers were on scene, including one at the residence’s front door, the male suspect inside allegedly fired multiple shots from an upstairs window. Further investigation revealed that multiple projectiles struck an occupied Dodge Charger on the roadway outside the residence. The male driver was not injured, and no other injuries were reported from this incident.

As previously reported, officers evacuated multiple individuals, including the victim, from inside the home. At the time, officers were unable to definitively confirm whether the suspect had left the residence. Because officers could not confirm whether the suspect had left the residence, the Elkhart County Regional SWAT team was activated to assist with clearing the residence and confirming that there were no remaining injured individuals inside. SWAT members attempted to call out anyone who may have remained inside before entering and clearing the residence. No additional individuals were located inside.

During the investigation, the original caller (victim) reported that the suspect (her boyfriend) pushed her onto furniture, causing pain. The suspect allegedly ordered the victim to call another man (the father of victim’s child) and ask him to come to the residence so the suspect could shoot and kill him. When she refused, the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and again ordered her to call this man. After she complied, the suspect then allegedly told the victim to call the man back and tell him that the suspect had left the home. Subsequently she allegedly called the man back from another part of the house to warn him not to come to the residence, but he came anyway and was driving the Charger when the shots were fired.

As also previously released, EPD officers located and detained the suspect later that evening (Oct. 16th) in the 500 block of W. 9th Street in Mishawaka. The suspect, identified as Efren Oregon, Jr., 18 years old of Mishawaka, was arrested and booked into the Elkhart County Jail that evening on preliminary charges in connection with this investigation.

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently filed formal criminal charges against him in Elkhart Superior Court (case no. 20D01-2610-F3-000024). Efren Oregon, Jr., is charged with:

                  Count I: Aggravated Battery (Attempted), a Level 3 Felony

                  Count II: Intimidation, a Level 5 Felony

                  Count III: Domestic Battery in the Presence of a Child less than 16 Years Old, a Level 6 Felony

An Elkhart County judicial officer previously ordered Mr. Oregon held without bond until his October 22, 2026, hearing. Please be advised that these are merely accusations and that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

<end>