UPDATE 2 : (see below for original release)***PRESS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Date: October 5th, 2026
To: All Media
From: Captain Kevin Urbanczyk-Public Information Officer
Re: Arrest made in shooting investigation
On October 3rd at approximately 11:19 P.M., the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a person that was shot in the Senior Center parking lot located at 2 On the Lake. Shortly after this call is when officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 received a Flock Raven gunshot detection notification coming from this area. Officers responded to the scene and located a 43-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the lower back and abdomen. Responding officers provided life saving measures to the victim before he was flown from Lot 1 to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Officers were then dispatched to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City at approximately 11:38 P.M. for a 32-year-old female who arrived with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her right leg. 25-year-old Indianapolis, Indiana resident John Holmes was arrested at the hospital for Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (Level 4 Felony) and Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony) while officers investigated the female victim’s injury.
Investigators from the Evidence Response Unit, Investigative Division, and Uniform Patrol Shift 3 processed multiple scenes for evidence and interviewed witnesses. Holmes’s arrest photo is attached to this press release courtesy of the LaPorte County Jail. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
The Michigan City Police Department is requesting anyone who may have witnessed this incident, has any additional information or has cell phone video of this incident, to contact lead investigator Lieutenant Anna Painter at (219) 874-3221; Extension 1077 or via email at apainter@emichigancity.com. Other first responders who assisted with this incident include the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, Long Beach Police Department, Trail Creek Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department, LaPorte County EMS, and Lutheran Air.
We would also like to remind the public that you can contact us via Facebook Messenger or on our webpage at www.police.michigancityin.gov. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 342-STOP, by completing an online submission form at www.michianacrimestoppers.com, or by calling the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon an arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. You can always request to remain anonymous!
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law
ORIGINAL RELEASE-
The Michigan City Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred overnight near the Michigan City Senior Center.
Officers responded to the area after receiving a report of a gunshot victim and immediately rendered aid until EMS arrived. During the investigation, officers learned that a second individual suffering from a gunshot wound had arrived at Francisican Hospital.
One individual is currently in custody in connection with the altercation, and the investigation remains active.
Based on the information developed during the investigation, this appears to have been an isolated incident involving the individuals involved. There is no known ongoing threat to the public.
MCPD would like to thank the officers and investigators who responded, along with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, Long Beach Police Department, and Trail Creek Police Department for their assistance.
Additional information will be released when appropriate as the investigation continues. For the latest information LIKE the MCPD FACEBOOK page.