***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 09, 2023

CORONER RELEASES PRELIMINARY RULING

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

On November 6, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the Elkhart County Regional SWAT team executed a search warrant relative to a drug dealing investigation at 731 W. Franklin Street, in Elkhart. During approach, operators with the SWAT team reported gunfire from within the residence directed at them. An operator with the SWAT team was struck by gunfire and was subsequently transported by Elkhart Fire Department medics to the Elkhart General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. This operator was identified as Cpl. Jon Carver with the Elkhart Police Department. Cpl. Carver was treated and released later that night.

SWAT members set up a perimeter and were able to negotiate with all the occupants in the residence to exit except for one individual. SWAT made several attempts through verbal negotiations, chemical irritants, and other methods to safely secure the residence. There is no indication that any law enforcement officer discharged a firearm during the entirety of the search warrant.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on November 7, 2023, SWAT team members made entry into the residence and found Dannie Lee Davis, 41, of 731 Franklin Street, Elkhart, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head with a handgun in his hand. Davis was transported by EFD medics to Elkhart General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

On November 8, 2023, a forensic autopsy was performed on the body of Dannie Lee Davis at the Homer Stryker School of Medicine located on the campus of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Elkhart County Coroner advised the Homicide Unit that the preliminary ruling regarding Mr. Davis, was death as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, with the manner being suicide.

This is considered an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this event or are aware of any individual who may, please call the Elkhart County Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825 or 574-296-1888.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”