3491272

Elkhart Men Jailed in Silver Beach Gunfire

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Rapid response by multiple police agencies quickly shutdown a gunfight involving two Elkhart, Indiana men who have been jailed following an exchange of gunfire at Silver Beach County Park last night. 

Fortunately, the 15 to 20 shots exchanged all missed their mark, and nobody was hit by any of the stray bullets as a result of the gunfire near the Silver Beach restroom facilities at the center of the park. Officers from the Berrien County Sheriff's Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, and Evidence Techs were joined by St. Joseph Police, St. Joseph Township Police, and Lincoln Township Police along with crews from Medic One Ambulance. 

Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says the two men in custody are both from Elkhart, but asked that their names not be used until following their arraignment in the Berrien County Court system, perhaps later today. 

Bailey issued a statement regarding the incidents this morning. This is that statement:

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Police Officers from several jurisdictions responded to a priority call of shots fired at Silver Beach County Park, located at 100 Broad St, in St Joseph, just before 9 PM last night.
 
Officers located and identified the individual (Robinson) that was responsible for possessing and shooting a handgun near the restrooms.  This individual was taken into custody and interviewed.  The individual minimized his involvement but did confess to possessing the handgun and attempting to conceal it after the crime.
 
Officers believe they have recovered the handgun used and it will be sent to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab for confirmation.
 
This individual was lodged at the Berrien County Jail and will be arraigned later today on a number of charges.
 
Officers also identified a second vehicle related to the incident and discovered two more handguns illegally possessed by the vehicle’s owner (Harris).
 
This individual was also interviewed and provided a partial confession.  He was lodged in the Berrien County Jail on two firearms charges and will be arraigned later today.
 
The Sheriff’s Office would like to commend the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible, as well as the actions of the responding Officers from several jurisdictions.  Both played key roles in quick arrests of these two criminals.
 
If anyone who was at the Silver Beach County Park at this time would like to speak to detectives about the incident, please contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (269) 983-7141, ext. 7224.
 
Thank you for your time and help in making Berrien County a very special place on the Lake.
 

One of the Elkhart men involved is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, a concealed weapon violation, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The second Elkhart man is charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon. 

***Editor's Note*** In the original posting of this story, the headline used the word "thugs," to describe the men involved. I was not aware that the word has been linked to racial connotations, and thus I have removed it. I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by the word, and appreciate the heads up that allowed me to correct that error. No racial implication whatsoever was intended.  Pat Moody

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