Third shooting on S. Meade Street raising concerns

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —- Neighbors living near South Meade Street claim a home on the block is causing an uptick in shootings.

After an early morning on Sunday, neighbors like John Jones Coleman describe shootings in the area as a constant problem. Coleman said he is frustrated with the shootings he claims occurs one or two times a month.

Coleman said he heard the shots early Sunday morning.

“I was trying to go to sleep,” he said. “Then it all broke loose.”

The South Bend Police Department describes the latest shooting on S. Meade St. as a drive by. The shooting left three men, ages ranging from 25 years old to 37 years old, with non-life threatening injuries.

On Sunday, the department urged the community to help stop this violence.

“This was a quiet and decent neighborhood,” said Coleman.

Since the start of June, police officers have responded three times to the 200 block of S. Meade St., according to reports. The following dates are listed in report logs:

• June 1, for reports of shots fired
• June 6, for an aggravated assault with a gun which left two people injured,
• June 9, a shooting which left 3 people injured.

A department official said the area has been on police radar. Currently, the department’s ‘Nuisance Abatement Vehicle’ sits outside two homes on the block.

“I mean I don’t have no problem with them doing what they’re doing they're just doing their job,” said Rosemary Eason, who lives near S. Meade St.

Eason said it seems like the guns are outnumbering her neighbors.

“My thing is it’s just too much,” she said.

Police said they have arrested two suspects for Thursday morning’s shooting. Coleman, who suffers from depression and tinnitus after serving in the military, said if the shooting continue at this rate near him it will have a serious effect on his mental health.

“I think I’m back in the war at Vietnam,” said Coleman.

Anyone with information on Sunday morning’s shooting, call the South Bend Police Department at 574-235-9201or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.