***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2025

ELKHART COUNTY HOMICIDE UNIT CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO DEADLY SHOOTING AT SUPERMARKET, SUSPECT DEAD

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

January 27, 2025, was a tragic day in Elkhart County. Benjamin S. Jeffrey (49), and Annasue Rocha (19), both of Elkhart, were killed by a lone gunman at approximately 5:45 pm in the Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, Indiana. Miss Rocha was an employee of Martin’s. Mr. Jeffrey was a customer at the time of the gunman’s attack. Numerous shots were fired by the gunman inside the store, and several additional people were in significant danger as a result of his actions.

The gunman then exited the store and was confronted by two (2) Elkhart Police Officers. The gunman fired multiple times at the officers who responded by shooting and killing him. Both police officers, Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak, were struck by the suspect’s gunfire and are recovering from their injuries. One of the officers, Patrolman Pasternak, remains hospitalized at this time in fair and stable condition.

The suspect that killed both Mr. Jeffrey and Miss Rocha is identified as Juan M. Sanchez (54), who had moved to the area within the past year from Illinois.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit was activated to investigate the entire incident, both the actions of the gunman, as well as the actions of the police officers. That investigation is actively underway with collection of numerous types of evidence, witness interviews, and the gathering of background information to answer the questions that are undoubtedly on everyone’s mind, especially “why.” However, that takes time and objectivity.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is a multi-jurisdictional investigative unit in Elkhart County that specializes in the investigations of all homicides, suicides, child deaths, suspicious deaths, and police use of deadly force events. As the investigation is ongoing, anyone with additional information should call 574-295-2825.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit, as well as the Elkhart Police Department, are grateful for the assistance of numerous other agencies assisting the investigation, providing support to victims and witnesses, and working diligently to understand what led to this tragedy in an effort to protect the peace and dignity of our community.

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