South Bend's week of violent crimes: What still needs to be answered


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A rash of violent crimes – a homicide, stabbings, a pair of shootings, and several robberies have plagued South Bend over the last seven days.

There are still questions to be answered, suspects to be found, and arrests to be made.

Here’s where the South Bend Police and the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit are in the process.

Video from January 19, 2018

Location: Clover Street, Hildreth Street and Twyckenham Drive

Time of incident: Approximately 8 p.m.

Victim:Tysiona Crawford, 17, pronounced dead at South Bend Memorial Hospital 

What happened: South Bend Police responded to the 1100 block of Clover Street for a report of gunshots. Officers were also dispatched to the corner of Hildreth Street and Twykenham Drive, about a block away, for a car crashed into a home.

Crawford was found in the car and transported to Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries where she later died.

The St. Joseph County Coroner said Crawford died from a gunshot wound and her manner of death would be a homicide.

Suspects: MHU has not confirmed a suspect

Arrests: None

Location: Howard Food Mart, Howard Street

Time of incident: 2:01 p.m.

Victim: Woman, shot in buttocks

What happened: Witnesses told South Bend Police a man entered the store with a gun during an attempted robbery.

During the altercation a female victim was shot in the buttocks. Her injuries were non-life threatening.

Suspects: Black male wearing black clothing

Arrests: None

Location: Speedway, 2702 E. Mishawaka Ave.

January 22

Time of incident: 10 p.m.

What happened: A suspect entered the store with a handgun and took cash from the register.

Suspect: Black male, heavy or stocky build, wearing a tan jacket with a hood.

January 23

Time of incident: 3:45 p.m.

What happened: A suspect entered the store with a gun and demanded money.

Suspect: Hispanic male, gray hoodie, and gray sweatpants.

Arrests: None

Video from January 23, 2018

Location: 1300 block of Browne Street, near Edison Road

Time of incident: 5:30 p.m.

Victim: 17-year-old

What happened: Officers were dispatched to the scene and found a 17-year-old victim. First aid was administered and the victim was taken to the hospital.

Police say the assault was not random.

Suspect: Yes

Arrests: None

Video from January 23, 2018

Location: 400 block of W. Marion Street

Time of incident: 10:20 p.m.

Victim: 55-year-old male

What happened: South Bend Police say a 55-year-old man was shot while walking down the street. His injuries were non-life threatening.

Suspects: No

Arrests: None

Location: 2800 block of S. Michigan Street

Time of incident: 8 p.m.

Victim: Occupant of home, not injured

What happened: Officers say two suspects entered the home, one of them armed with a handgun. It is not clear if they took anything from the victim or the home.

The suspects fled on foot and reportedly got away in a vehicle waiting nearby.

Suspects: Two black males. One male believed to be in his 20s, short hair wearing a beige coat and dark pants. The second male wore a black and red striped coat.

Arrests: None

In addition to these open investigations, South Bend Police responded to another stabbing Tuesday at Broadway Christian Parish Church. A St. Mary's College student was seriously injured and a man was arrested on an attempted murder charge among others.

SBPD asks if you know anything about the cases above, contact officers at 574-235-9201 or call Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

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