2-year-old likely killed by stray bullet

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Based on preliminary ballistic evidence, the St. Joseph County Police Metro Homicide Unit believes the two shooting scenes, one at Campeau Street and one at Arthur Street, were related. A 2-year-old was shot and killed at the Campeau Street location Wednesday night.

Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, South Bend Police responded to reports of shots fired at 1002 Campeau Street.

At that home, 2-year-old John Swoveland Jr. was shot and killed while playing outside with a 7-year-old sibling.

A second shooting scene was discovered on Arthur Street, a few blocks east of Eddy Street, but no one there was injured.

After conducting interviews and reviewing ballistic evidence, the St. Joseph County Police Metro Homicide Unit believes the two shooting scenes could be related.

They said an argument between two rival groups near the intersection of Arthur and Campeau Streets escalated to shots fired.

Police said they believe one group continued to fire as the other group ran from the gunfire and the toddler was shot by a stray bullet.

The autopsy determined Swoveland died of a gunshot wound to the chest. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.

The CMHU would like any members of the group running from the gunfire to contact them with information. Members of the public are also asked to call with information to Metro Homicide at 235-5009 or Crime Stoppers at 288-STOP.