South Bend Police conducting two separate death investigations four blocks apart

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Police are investigating two separate incidents-- a homicide and a suspicious death-- both just a few blocks from each other. 

"Reports came in of shots fired," said Captain Jason Biggs, with the SBPD.

Around 12:26am, police found forty-year old Terrence Cannon Sr. with a gunshot wound on Diamond Avenue in Northwest South Bend. First responders tried to save his life, but he died at the scene.

Four blocks away, police were then called out to College Street at 6:10am, after an unidentified woman and a child were found lying on a porch. 

Dispatch advised to the officers "For units en route to College Street, this is an obvious death. A female appears to have been outside for quite some time and has frostbite. Severe frostbite."

The child was still alive, and transported to Riley Children's Hospital. Police have not released their condition. 

“Our violent crime unit is investigating this as a suspicious death," said Captain Biggs.  "We’re working with the department of child services to provide services for the family and to ensure that services are being provided for the child.”

It's not clear what lead to the woman's death and why she and the child were outside this morning. Neighbors were struck by the tragic circumstances.

“Anytime you have kids introduced to trauma or drama, it messes with them growing up," said Gregory Gill, who's lived in the neighborhood for forty years. "Certain things stick with us.”

Gill said that neighbors need to come together and try to create positivity to help prevent such unfortunate situations.

“I just know that we have situations in our neighborhood that can be avoided through just paying attention more to each other," he said. “It’s just simple. We create our own problems and our own situations, and I believe the same thing can go on the positive, too. We create that atmosphere.”

An autopsy for the woman has been scheduled for February 5th. No arrests have been made in either investigation.