South Bend Police Department discuss efforts to address gun violence in Quarter Three meeting

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- The Quarter Three public safety meeting was held on October 15 by Chief Scott Ruskowski, Mayor James Mueller, Chief Tim Lancaster, and Captain Kayla Miller at the South Bend Police Department discussing the progress being made on the Bissell Street shooting investigation and how they continue to stay prepared during Notre Dame games following the recent shooting on Eddy Street. 

On September 19, the South Bend Police Department were called with details of shots being fired on 1300 Block of Bissell Street. Two of three victims were pronounced dead on the scene and the third victim dying later at the hospital from her injuries. The shooting is still under investigation.

Captain Kayla Miller says the investigation is progressing and continues to have multiple interviews conducted, and multiple search warrants still being done.

"These detectives have spent countless hours, not just during their regular shifts, but after hours, long nights. We will not stop until we have a resolution on this, and they are continuing to put in countless hours and work." says Miller.

"I know it's frustrating for families in the community that we can't give more, but it is more important for us to have a solid case that we can take to the prosecutor's office and protect that, so we can have a long-term resolution than to provide small updates along the way. It's important for us to keep some of these details very close to our chest on that."

Following the shooting on Eddy Street, police and Notre Dame officials are continuing to work together to prepare for future incidents 

"But I will tell you, we just had a somewhat of a meeting yesterday with some Notre Dame officials, and of course, all of our area partners. That we still we had one this morning, as a matter of fact. We have our weekly law enforcement strategy sessions; they're all involved-and then we do have subgroups that, in their specialties, will have conversations outside of of the larger environment and really refine whether it's SWAT teams, whether it's our bomb unit, whether it's canine, but all those things. Separately, have theirs, and then we have a combined strategy and different command posts that we've utilized as well, and we'll continue to do that" says Ruskowski.

Mayor James Mueller says but overall, when you look at the year to date, gun violence is relatively flat here in South Bend.

"Of course, we've got work to do, and there's further details in specific areas that we'll share" says Mueller.

The mayor says the department will be sharing details about the real-time crime center and how that helps us solve cases.