A St. Joseph County jury on Thursday, October 22, 2026, found a 36-year-old South Bend man guilty of murder with a firearm enhancement in the January 2026 shooting of a 21-year-old Mishawaka man near Angela Boulevard and Michigan Street. The verdict was reported by WNDU[1], 95.3 MNC[2], and WSBT[3].
The victim was found critically injured in his vehicle and later died, according to the reports. The defendant also admitted to a habitual-offender enhancement. The outlets reported that he faces more than 100 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18. The South Bend Police Department investigated.
What families should do next
When your family loses someone to violence, you may face many decisions at once. Keep copies of medical, funeral, and insurance records. Keep letters from insurance companies, and put important communications in writing where possible.
Save the criminal case number and the contact information for the prosecutor's victim assistance office. Records from the criminal trial may be useful in evaluating a separate civil claim. A Fort Wayne wrongful death attorney can explain which records may matter and how Indiana wrongful death law applies.
Be careful about signing releases or giving recorded statements before you understand your options. The firm's guide to an insurance adjuster's request for a recorded statement or medical release explains why the wording and scope of these requests matter.
Why location matters in an Indiana injury claim
The shooting happened near Angela Boulevard and Michigan Street in South Bend, in St. Joseph County. A civil case would usually be filed in the county where the injury happened or where a defendant lives.
A criminal verdict and a civil wrongful death claim are separate. Indiana's wrongful death statutes, Ind. Code 34-23-1-1 and Ind. Code 34-23-1-2, address who may bring a claim when a death is caused by another person's wrongful act. Most claims must be filed within two years under Ind. Code 34-11-2-4, and that period continues to run while a criminal case moves forward. You can read more about Indiana wrongful death filing deadlines.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm helps Indiana families who have lost someone because of another person's wrongful conduct. You can learn more about Chad Delventhal and the firm's approach to injury cases.
Insurance companies may aggressively defend civil claims even after a criminal verdict. Chad Delventhal can explain how a wrongful death claim works, which deadlines may apply, and what records should be preserved. No outcome can be promised. The firm offers a free case evaluation, including for families seeking guidance from a South Bend personal injury lawyer.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation or related proceedings may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
