Police, SWAT respond to South Bend's sixth shooting in two days
Police, SWAT respond to South Bend's sixth shooting in two days Save Email Print
Posted: 6:13 PM Oct 27, 2008
Last Updated: 12:32 AM Oct 28, 2008
Reporter: Sarah Platt
Email Address: sarah.platt@wndu.com

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After a weekend of violence, there’s yet another shooting in South Bend.

Police say a teen was shot in the back in South Bend's Pulaski Park. The incident happened just before 5 o’clock on Monday evening.

The suspects then ran and hid inside a home on Pulaski Street. The SWAT team was called in after concerns about the number of potential suspects and the number of weapons involved.

“I was in the house just chilling with my friends, and then we heard a loud banging on the back door. I went downstairs and they [suspects] ran up and said ‘We gotta kick it for a little while,’ I'm like alright whatever,” says Adam Wojciechowski, who lives in a home on Pulaski Street.

With suspects now inside with the home's residents, the SWAT team was called in to sort through the confusion and get the suspects out.

In this Newscenter 16 video you can see some of those suspects being led out of the home. A total of six people were taken in for questioning.

As a precaution, police evacuated several neighbors from their homes. “I was on my way home from work and my husband called me and said you can't come home. I said what do you mean? He said there are cops everywhere, running up and down yards, and in and out of the alley,” explains neighbor Hazel Bokon.

Unfortunately, Hazel says this isn't the first time she's seen guns in the hands of young people in her neighborhood. “It's getting out of hand, they need stricter punishment, too many guns, they get away with it too much,” adds Hazel.

As of Monday evening, police say the victim is hospitalized in critical condition.

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Posted by: Dianne Wojciechowski Location: South Bend, IN on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Adam Wojciechowski, my son, should never have been arrested for this crime. He was blamed by the others that committed the crime. He is a witness only. If the young man shot would not have been able to identify his shooter, my son would now be facing murder charges. Your comments were painful to read when I knew my son was innocent of any charges. They believed the word of the thugs over my son. People can be charged for crimes they have not committed. His picture and name were run continually on the news. Inaccurate news was printed even after his release by the Tribune. A young man's name was smeared and I don't see any sensational headlines to clear it now.

Posted by: Dianne Wojciechowski Location: South Bend on Nov 8, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Adam Wojciechowski's name and face were falsely run continually in the paper and on the news as being involved in a shooting crime. HE IS A WITNESS TO A CRIME ONLY. Imagine being arrested and charged with a crime you did not commit! Imagine sitting in a jail cell when you know you have committed no crime! Imagine your name and face being run in the news as a criminal! This happened and only because of the young man who was shot being able to identify his shooter was my son set free. If this young man had died my son would be up for murder! Imagine! My son thanks him and prays for him. The comments posted were cruel and added more hurt to an already painful situation. My son will testify as to what he saw and knows. He is not friends with the criminals. Tell me how to clear a person's name when it has been so publically smeared. Pray for a young man that witnessed a horrendous crime and now has to fear for his life for witnessing it. The crime was senseless with no just cause.

Posted by: Anon Location: Here on Nov 4, 2008 at 12:11 PM
M4, go back to your bunker. Your posts have no place here, you're part of the problem.

Posted by: N on Nov 3, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Slamming 40's refers to drinking. People in poorer areas of the city like to pool their money together, go to the liquor store, and buy a bunch of 40's, aka, 40oz. bottles of booze. They are generally regarded as being the best value for the money. Slammin means 'drinking quickly'. So, literally, they were quickly drinking 40oz. bottles of alcohol.

Posted by: m4 on Oct 29, 2008 at 07:11 PM
join or form a militia unit. time is running out. dont run and hide. stand your ground and fight back. this is our country.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Agree with SDB. header for cover if he wins and head for cover if he looses.

Posted by: Okay on Oct 29, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I will admit that I do not live in South Bend and seem to be woefully behind the times. (I had to ask what "ron" meant), but what is "slammin 40's"? Help an old woman out here....

Posted by: Anti-Socialism Location: France soon on Oct 29, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Surprise, surprise, it's only getting worse. As the economy tanks, more and more of this will be going on daily. Wait til The great celebrity man takes office and he disarms all the law obiding citizens. GEEE, I can't wait.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: St.Joe on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Hey I just noticed that the guy (Adam Wojciechowski)in video of this story(at 58 seconds into it), is one of the three that was taken into custody and had his face shown on the news tonight. He said "the guys just needed to kick it" in his house "for a little bit". HAHA He himself was doing a little more than just chillin with his friends at some point wouldn't you say?

Posted by: V on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Amy: Cultural standards have gone down the drain. The majority middle smart people didn't see the connection between bad people being emboldened and ugly, vulgar music; ugly vulgar movies, ugly vulgar video games... anything in the media that makes money from the lowest common denominator, from the worst angels of our natures. The brilliant argument goes, "I played a violent video game 'n I didn't kill no one!" How can you argue with that? It's the kind of dumb that's impenetrable. And we were all socialized in school to be indifferent. That means that those who live in upscale blocks dismiss the strife down town as the problem of other people, their own dang fault (while true, they miss the point), etc. and don't care that they're not free in a free country to walk in parts of their own city. "The road to Auschwitz was paved with indifference." -Ian Kershaw

Posted by: shoppy Location: Osceola on Oct 28, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Sell the Hall of Shame and use the money for the Police Department. The citizens of South Bend must share in the blame for putting the same people back in office Its time for a city ,state,and national house cleaning.

Posted by: SDB Location: Indiana on Oct 28, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Wait until Obama doesn't win next Tuesday night...head for cover!!!

Posted by: Eric Location: OC on Oct 28, 2008 at 04:45 PM
plain and simple way to solve the problem. all these shootings have been by "kids" the easy answer should be for the parents to slow down and spend some time with there kids instead of watching tv and working. In my opion the main problem with socity in this area is everyone is in a rush. What happened to 5 o clock dinner time? checking school work? and just old fashion family time. i put a lot of responisablity on the parents...... LETS GROWN UP

Posted by: Dan Location: Elkhart on Oct 28, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Adam Wojciechowski, Channel 16's key interviewee was arrested today along with two other men for the shooting. Way to go Channel 16 as you help to glamorize thug life in South Bend and give this idiot his 15 minutes. A good fact checker can go a long way in reporting!

Posted by: Susie Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Unfortunatly I agree with JC. Amy, you're right to a point but it's not "church" that people need (church is just a group of people). What they need is respect and love for God. If they had that then they would want to live their lives for God and do things that are pleasing to God. Alot of "Christians" think that just because they pray and go to church allows them to go to heaven, or praying the "Sinner's Prayer", well I'm sorry to say but that doesn't cut it! People need to learn respect, respect for themselves and for others. They need to put God first, others second, and themselves last. If they did that then our world wouldn't be such a mess. And the "adults" of our socienty need to stop "spreading their seed", get married....once. Raise their own kids, teach them to earn their own keep, and that shooting each other doesn't solve problems!

Posted by: Glenn Location: Glad I moved out of SB on Oct 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Actually, yes. I would feel safer walking the streets of Chicago. And I'll tell you why. The murder rate per 100k of population of Chicago is only slightly higher than that of SB (16.4 vs 13.2). The fact is, geographically, I'm alot more likely to be in areas with little or no violent crime in Chicago. Large, wide-open, sprawling commercial areas where I can and do feel safe. In SB, where are these murders occurring? That's right - everywhere. West side (naturally), south side, east side, north side. Southshore Railroad? Two tickets to the end of the line, please. Later!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 28, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Amy, I do think it is sad that you would attack churches this way. You are correct in that church is not the answer, but God is. Our country needs to go back to what its forefathers intended. Our country was founded on Christian principles and it is sad that Christ has been taken out of everything.

Posted by: Lynne Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I work for a local PD and only have admiration for the officers! They do what they can, when they can but can't be everywhere all the time. It is time that the GOOD citizens of South Bend decide to stop taking the *##* that's handed down from the ivory towers of downtown government and make every effort to take our city back! I don't know what happened to all the 60"s flower children, but it seems we need them now more than ever to promote peace, love and harmony.!!! Keep it up SBPD you guys do a GREAT job.

Posted by: Danny Location: So. Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 02:06 PM
wait!! What did Adam state in the above story? Check WNDU.com- Police have arrested Noel Easton, 18; Johnny Byers, 18; and Adam Wojciechowski, 20, all of South Bend. All three are being held in the St. Joseph County Jail in connection with the Monday shooting, although formal charges have not been filed.

Posted by: fearful in Mishawaka Location: mishawaka on Oct 28, 2008 at 02:04 PM
The Chicago crime is penetrating it's way into SB. Chicago now leads the nation in murder rate. I'm fearful as Mr. Obama is about to elected President, that the characteristics of city he claims to be home will slowly become the characteristics of the nation. Lock your doors folks. And register your weapons to defend your homes while it is still your right as a citizen.

Posted by: To Concerned in St. Joseph County on Oct 28, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Don't worry. The newly hired city employee Susan Solmos is coming to our rescue to market South Bend communities and promote growth. She will have everyone just lining up to move into this fine metropolis, won't she?

Posted by: Jim Location: SB on Oct 28, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Black leadership, where are you? Tell your boys to give it up. Moms have tried and they won't listen to them. If you are afraid to stand up to them I understand. But the lack of fathers in the black community has cost you dearly. Obama talks of change. Well the time is now for you too.

Posted by: Joe Schmoe Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Dan, from South Bend at 10:33 pm, Thank You, My thoughts exactly! I bet Adam's parents are proud of him.

Posted by: SecondChance Location: oklahoma on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:09 AM
i lived in South Bends west side for 42 years I am now 43 i loved being a west sider.i loved the parade on memorial day i loved all the different festivals there. from the churches to the ethnic/ summer in the city. i miss the east race walk. dyngus day/solidarity day celebrations .Saint Patrick's Day parade and turning the saint Joe river green .i miss Barnaby's i miss the church bells ringing,i miss the beautiful celebration for Martin Luther Kings Day,such a nice site to see when a new Holiday brings all races together.for such a Strong walk .i miss my family.i do miss good ole south bend Indiana . i miss notre dame talk now when i ask about 'THE GAME ' its not notre dame around these parts and most of all...i miss my'FAMILY'it really saddens me when i hear from family and read about it on line that such a terrible thing has happened in my home town.South Bend is a awesome Place. please Mr.Mayor,please fix this problem. There are a lot of good people in South Bends N.S.E.and W side

Posted by: john on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:57 AM
if we didnt have lent judges in juvie court they wouldnt be doing this. its time to make a example out of the juvies so it would stop this stuff we need a chain gang of juvies to work outside of prisons the south have chain gangs working along the highways why cant the north do the same put them out there in pink jump suits and clean the highways or do like other countries cane them, oh i forgot ACLU wont let u do them they protect the criminals

Posted by: Stephanie H Location: Florida on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:50 AM
This is what the lack of EDUCATION does in our society!!!

Posted by: Anarchology Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Ok, let me use a different measure of..intelligence here. Listen Close To Me. I have lived here in South Bend nearly my entire life, and because i use my mind, my intelligence, and common sense, I have avoided being shot at, threatened by guns, knives, there has been no serious attack towards me. South Bend is what you make it, you look for guns and sure you will find them, but if you want to live away from that ignorance, that is just as possible. My fiance recently moved in with me, we are planning to start our family soon, and i will be keeping our family here. Violence should only concern those who concern themselves with it. Its not impossible to be a well natured human being, nothing is impossible. These shootings, all this gang bull s$@t, Let it happen, let them die, let the streets clean themselves, i said it once im saying it again Let These Ignorant Scum Kill Eachother, saves us the trouble of doing it. And, if you are like me, you can sit on the sidelines and watch laughing.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 28, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Police Chief needs fired, apparently he isnt doing his job!

Posted by: Amy Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Anonymous in Elkhart, yes and Elkhart is such a safe city. My Mom and Dad live there and won't go downtown in the evening. truth is all cities have problems. You can move to a small rural community and there you have problems with meth. Something in society and this country needs to change. People no longer have a conscience and no, church isn't the answer. If you have no conscience you aren't going to all of a sudden have one just because you go to church. Plenty of people go to church and still do wrong, including pastors.

Posted by: Jason Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Glenn...are you serious? There have been 429 murders in chicago this year and you would rather walk the streets there?

Posted by: Glenn on Oct 28, 2008 at 08:32 AM
I'd much rather find myself on foot anywhere in Chicago than in SB.

Posted by: Tyler Location: South Bend on Oct 28, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Good thing we gots the Mama Against Violence and prayer site vigils that are attended by the Mayor. That lets them thugs know who is in charge of dis city.

Posted by: Concerned Location: St Joseph County on Oct 28, 2008 at 07:18 AM
South Bend is a violent city. What has the mayor done about it? Who would want to buy a house in or send their children to the schools here? When will the news media question the mayor about the shootings and gang problem? Why hasn't the police department been reorganized and more officers put on the streets?

Posted by: V on Oct 28, 2008 at 01:37 AM
CM: it's easy enough to look up America's top 100 worst cities on the internet; and South Bend is on their, somewhere in the middle. Detroit or New Orleans are in 1st and 2nd place. Go even further and look up the worst cities on wikipedia. Look at their "demographics". Now compare them to the list of best cities to live in. Notice anything? How does one explain that away?

Posted by: Ronnie Location: South Bend But not proud of it on Oct 28, 2008 at 01:14 AM
I grew up in a small town just 20 min south of here and remembering how much i wish i lived in "the city" where things were happening...MY God I WISH I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW ABOUT THE WONDERFUL CITY LIFE, God i miss the cows mooing and the smell of fresh country air. Now all i see and smell is the scum of this society.

Posted by: To Patient.. on Oct 28, 2008 at 12:31 AM
History doesn't mean anything if there is no future. How many great civilizations that had "nice neighborhoods" 2000 years ago are gone? The Bad Ppl are taking over all the nice neighborhoods. There can't be downtown shopping and sandwich shops because all These people that the article is about are going to rob them! The only way South Bend has a future is with a Serious make-over. To start, they need to take every person that commits a felony and lock them in prision for life, or save the taxpayers some money just execute the 'criminals (to put it nicely)'

Posted by: IMpatient Location: Patrolling these mean streets on Oct 28, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Only another 40 more years, right patient??

Posted by: CM Location: South Bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 11:34 PM
It's really sad. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago, to give my kids a better & safer life. Seems that things are getting out of hand. The sad part is, growing up in Chicago, I am used to this, I mean you can here about 5 or 6 people getting shot in just a few minutes. Shouldn't be that way, but unfortintly it is. I just hope things get better. It seems no where is safe. You can be in a bad neighborhood or a really good one, truth is no where is safe!

Posted by: Dan Location: South Bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 11:33 PM
thank God Adam was home, "chillin with friends" so when da suspects comes over they could kick it for a while, probably sippin on gin and juice, smokin blunts and slammin 40's. This is the problem, do not let the uneducated, wannabe thug punks get their limelight because of idiots running around shooting each other. This just fuels their stupidity!!!

Posted by: Mike Location: Michigan on Oct 27, 2008 at 11:11 PM
The picutre of the suspect fits the profile for what everyone imagines what South Bend looks like. Glad I moved away from SB

Posted by: patient Location: south bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Hey South Bend might be a little dangerous, but it has a lot of history and nice neighborhoods. One day (probably after the economy tanks in Elkhart) good people will fill our streets again. People will come Downtown to shop. The old establishments that served drinks and sandwiches to workers will be filled. Oh, and the Studebaker never quit being the most styling ride in town by the way!

Posted by: Dan Location: South Bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 10:11 PM
And to think the mayor says we have to cut Police Officers Jobs cause we dont have the money???? If you think its bad now wait and see what happens if SBPD looses Officers?? Wild West comes to mind. Just a thought.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: elkhart on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Does anyone think South Bend is a safe city anymore? I think its safe to say no

Posted by: Anonymous Location: SB on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Great Job SWAT Thank You Thank Thank. The word is RESPECT!!! It is a dirty job sorry and home safe after this.

Posted by: the one that got away Location: iceland on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:28 PM
when they go to jail it is like a family reunion.i had to spend a week end in there,never again 4 me.better treatment than at home 4 them.

Posted by: WHAT ?????? Location: South Bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:55 PM
You know, my and family and I moved to South Bend just about 11 years ago to get away from all the mess. Yes, I moved from Gary, but the way things have been looking I might as well have stayed right where we were, at least there I knew what was really going on........

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Ohh, on Western... What a surprise...

Posted by: Wow Location: SBI on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:39 PM
What a shocker! (insert sarcastic voice here)

Posted by: stephanie Location: south bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:35 PM
my son is 10 months old and it is so scary to even think how many shootings will occur per day when my son turns 16 i can inly imagine will it be 16 per day?

Posted by: Jen Location: Mishawaka on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Please WNDU can you get the mayor's comment on all this crime? Is he even aware of what's going on?

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Welcome to Mayor Luecke's "New Gary East"! Sad to say I do not think it will end at six shootings. Mr. Mayor I will bet your so glad you spent a millon dollar to keep your friend Joe Kernam safe. It time to get your head out of your ###.

Posted by: quick draw on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:33 PM
are these street punks cowards their always shooting someone in the back. why cant they at least learn to shoot straight why shoot somebody if your not going to kill them? because the way of the street, means when their able they will be looking for REVENGE (more shooting)

Posted by: sbtaxpayer Location: southbend on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Gee, how shocking. The Media did not mention that Smokin Eddy's Bar on 600 Lincolnway West in South Bend got shot-up over the weekend with 100 people inside. I had friends that were there and that is close to DOWNTOWN SB!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: South Bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:30 PM
The police know the BAD BOYS, 1 at a time....

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:23 PM
at the rate their going they should finish each other off in a couple of months personally i wish they would kill each other and end all this as long as they don't hurt the innocent

Posted by: jeff Location: s.b. on Oct 27, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Again Iwinder where is the mayor with a statement on the safety of his city. And when is the police chief going to start making his presence felt. I thought the mayor said he'd be tough on crime. When is this going to happen? Run the scum outa town. Instead of bringing in the big guns to police N.D. games, send them to the west side and sweep the area of all known trouble spots.

Posted by: bob Location: south bend on Oct 27, 2008 at 06:48 PM
suprise suprise another south bend shooting begining to wonder do i live in south bend or gary hmm....how long does this have to go on?


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