2 arrested, charged in connection to chaotic shootout on South Bend’s west side
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The South Bend Police Department says a 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested and charged in connection with a chaotic shootout last weekend during a large gathering on South Bend’s west side.
Officers were called around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday, Sept. 16, to the area of Philippa Street and Huron Street on reports of multiple shots fired during an outdoor gathering. Police say Mexican Independence Day celebrations were taking place in the area at the time. Four people were hit by gunfire, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
After investigating and processing evidence, police determined that 21-year-old Marcos Granado and 16-year-old Nicholas Granado were carrying and firing firearms during the incident. Evidence reportedly showed both Marcos and Nicholas firing weapons toward large groups of people and cars.
On Friday, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office charged Marcos with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a handgun. Police say Marcos has a prior conviction for possession of a machine gun, which prohibits him from carrying a handgun.
Meanwhile, Nicholas has been charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and dangerous possession of a firearm. Police say Nicholas has a prior juvenile adjudication for dangerous possession of a firearm. He is being charged as an adult in this case.
Both Marcos and Nicholas are being held at the St. Joseph County Jail. There is no mugshot available for Nicholas at this time.
Charging Docs: Suspects caught on multiple videos
According to charging documents, officers obtained cell phone video that showed two Hispanic males carrying weapons in the parking lot of El Tecate restaurant on Carlisle Street. One of them was carrying a handgun with a drum magazine and firing at full auto to the west of the parking lot, while the other one was allegedly holding a rifle that appeared to be an AR-15 platform with a “banana” style magazine.
The cell phone video shows the one that was holding the handgun was holding it above his head and firing it recklessly towards large groups of people and cars without taking aim. He was later identified by two witnesses as Marcos Granado.
According to police, the suspect who was holding the rifle was not seen firing it in the cell phone video. That suspect was identified by two witnesses as Nicholas Granado.
However, surveillance video from El Tecate showed both Marcos and Nicholas firing their weapons in the parking lot towards the southwest where cars and large groups of people were gathered.
A ballistic report preliminarily showed that there were at least 55 rounds located on scene. Crime scene photos showed that the shell casings were found in the same area the two suspects were standing in videos.
The incident remains under investigation by the South Bend Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit.
You can read the probable cause affidavits for both Marcos and Nicholas in their entirety below:
Copyright 2023 WNDU. All rights reserved.
