One person dead, another injured after shooting at South Bend gas station

One person is dead and another injured after a shooting early Saturday morning in South Bend.

Police responded to the Phillips 66 gas station on the corner of Lasalle Ave. and Lafayette Blvd. just before 2:30 a.m. where they found 27-year-old Justin Sharpe fatally shot in an SUV.

Police are not identifying anyone as a suspect but do say they are trying to locate and speak with one man who they believe is involved.

 “This was not a random encounter, through the sources we’ve spoken with, that both the witnesses, the victim, and the person we’re looking for, know each other,” said Tim Corbett, St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit Commander.

Police say the second victim was shot in the shoulder and was treated and released from the hospital.

Officials say they will not release information about the conflict that led to the fatal shooting, because they say it was over something so insignificant.

 “I can tell you it was so miniscule that if I let it out to the public, you would be shocked to find out how stupid it is. Every time you have a disagreement it doesn’t mean you have to kill somebody,” said Corbett.

The person police are looking knew the victim but police aren’t ready to release his name to the public.

 “We have units out looking for him. I don’t like putting someone’s name out unless I’m sure I’m going to make an arrest. Too many things can happen if you go off a ‘might’ or a ‘could be,’” said Corbett.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and will be conducting an autopsy on Sharpe Monday morning in Kalamazoo.