An Indiana State Police sergeant was shot multiple times Friday morning during the pursuit of a stolen pickup that crossed into northwest Indiana, authorities said. The trooper, identified by state police as Sgt. Justin Heflin, a 12-year agency veteran, was hospitalized following the shooting and later underwent surgery.
What happened
State police said the incident began when Berrien County, Michigan, authorities pursued a vehicle they believed to be stolen onto Interstate 94. Troopers from Indiana joined the chase after the truck entered Indiana. During the pursuit the suspect fired repeatedly from a rifle and aimed the weapon at pursuing officers, according to Indiana State Police.
- Time of initial incident: About 5:30 a.m.
- Location of shooting: Near U.S. 421 and County Road 300 North, just off I-94 near Michigan City
- Suspect: Kevin W. Meyers, 54, of La Porte
- Trooper status: Transported to local hospitals, underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition
Troopers located the suspect vehicle, a silver 2019 Ford F-150, near the I-94 and U.S. 421 interchange. A collision occurred between the suspect’s pickup and the trooper’s patrol vehicle; officers said the suspect then fired from inside the truck, striking the patrol vehicle and the trooper multiple times before fleeing.
"At approximately 5:30 a.m. today, Indiana State Troopers responded to I‑94 to assist Berrien County, Michigan authorities in a stolen‑vehicle pursuit that had crossed into Indiana," a news release from Indiana State Police said.
Manhunt and discovery
Local and regional law enforcement agencies launched an extensive search that included the Lake County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. The aircraft located the pickup concealed in a treeline in rural LaPorte County, and additional gunfire was reported at that scene.
Police later found the suspect, identified as Kevin W. Meyers, 54, of La Porte, deceased in a nearby cornfield with injuries consistent with a gunshot. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaPorte County coroner. An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday morning to determine the cause and manner of death.
| Event | Time/Location |
|---|---|
| Initial pursuit begins (Berrien County, Mich.) | Before 5:30 a.m.; crosses into Indiana |
| Shooting of trooper | ~5:30 a.m.; near U.S. 421 & County Road 300 North |
| Suspect vehicle located | ~9:16 a.m.; treeline in 7500 block of Joliet Road, LaPorte County |
| Suspect pronounced dead | Scene near Joliet and Wozniak roads; LaPorte County |
Impact and next steps
The shooting highlights the risks troopers face during multi-jurisdictional pursuits and the coordination required among local, county and state agencies in northwest Indiana. Authorities said the trooper was initially treated at Franciscan Health Michigan City and later transferred to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for surgery; by late Friday he was reported in stable condition.
Investigators from Indiana State Police and the LaPorte County coroner’s office are continuing the inquiry. Officials have not released a motive for the shooting and said they will await autopsy results and further forensic work to determine how the suspect was shot.
Residents near the pursuit and search areas may continue to see an increased law enforcement presence as agencies process the scene and follow investigative leads. Anyone with information about the chase, locations where the vehicle was observed, or related details is asked to contact Indiana State Police or LaPorte County authorities.
As the investigation continues, state and local officials will be monitoring the trooper’s recovery and the procedural review that typically follows a shooting involving law enforcement officers.
