Suspect killed, officer and K-9 shot in St. Joseph County manhunt

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - A suspect is dead and an officer and police K-9 were shot after a day-long manhunt in northern St. Joseph County.

Rodney Ross, 30, was shot and killed. Officers told 16 News Now they have had interactions with this suspect before.

A St. Joseph County Police Department officer was also shot but is expected to recover.

St. Joseph County Police Department K-9 Luna was shot in the inner thigh. She was rushed to Roseland Animal Hospital for treatment, and then arrived at the North Central Veterinary Emergency Center in Westville, Indiana.

The bullet is lodged in her leg and may have clipped her femoral artery. She is scheduled for surgery.

It all began when officers were serving a warrant in the 52000 block of Lilac Road for drug and weapons possessions from outside the county.

That’s when a man fired at officers and officers fired back. All officers are accounted for and it’s unclear if the suspect was struck by a bullet because he ran off.

Three people inside the home where the warrant was being served have been detained.

St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman asked Metro Homicide to take over the investigation because his officers were involved in the shooting.

SWAT teams were called in to check buildings and homes methodically in the area.

Drones were used in the search to find the suspect and officers brought in a helicopter from Indiana State Police.

Cleveland Road was closed from Portage Road to Riverside while they searched in the area.

It was a pretty chaotic day for those who live in the area. Watch the video below to see what some of the community reaction was.

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