UPDATE (September 18, 2025):
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – We are learning more about a fatal police action shooting last week that injured a Fort Wayne officer. An 81-year-old Fort Wayne man, identified as William Joseph Peters, died in the shooting off Irving Road on Friday.
The coroner says he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Indiana State Police say now that they learned he also had a self-inflicted gunshot wound when he was shot after getting out of his vehicle with a gun. The officer who was hurt has been released from the hospital.
(See updated information from ISP below)
His death has been ruled a homicide.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office released the following:
On Friday, September 12, 2025, the Allen County Coroner’s Office was notified of a police-action shooting, in the area of Schwartz Road and Irving Road, in New Haven. East Central Fire and EMS responded, provided lifesaving care, and death was pronounced.
The individual has been identified as William Joseph Peters, male, White, 81 years of age. The autopsy has been completed and the next of kin has been notified.
The Cause of Death is Multiple Gunshot Wounds, and the Manner of Death is Homicide-Police Action Shooting.
William Joseph Peters is the 29th Homicide for Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana in 2025.
This incident remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
ISP UPDATED RELEASE:
UPDATE Officer Involved Shooting Near Schwartz Rd. and Irving Rd. in Northeast Allen County
**UPDATE** September 17, 2025
As the investigation continues in the officer involved shooting on Friday, September 12, 2025, near Schwartz and Irving Roads in northeast Allen County, we are providing this update.
An Allen County Sheriff’s Department Deputy was on patrol after 8:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2025, when they noticed a vehicle parked at the dead end of Irving Rd. When the Deputy approached to investigate the suspicious vehicle, they noticed an armed person with an unknown injury. Because of the unusual nature of the incident and the person was armed, the Deputy called for backup. Because of the location of the call, officers from the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police Department all arrived on scene. The officers on scene attempted to de-escalate and talk to the person, but after some time the occupant of the vehicle stepped from the car and raised the weapon towards police. In defense of themselves and other officers on scene, officers from all three agencies fired at the person. At this point in the investigation it has been determined that the individual was in the car with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound when the deputy first approached.
The Fort Wayne Police Officer who suffered a minor injury was released from the hospital shortly after the incident. It is still not clear the exact cause of their injury.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office has identified the person involved as 81-year-old William Joseph Peters a white male. Please direct any questions regarding the identity or cause of death to the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
The Indiana State Police Investigations Bureau is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, and no other information is available at this time.
If you or anyone you know is having mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, please seek help. You can find help at National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – A Fort Wayne police officer is recovering, and one person is dead from a shooting Friday night.
Indiana State Police (ISP) says that an Allen County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a suspicious-looking vehicle near Schwartz and Irving roads around 8 p.m., saw that the driver was armed, and called for backup. Fort Wayne police, ISP, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office all responded. All of the officers fired at the driver, who was killed, when the car moved in what police called a threatening way.
ISP released the following:
Shortly after 8:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2025, a Deputy with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department noticed a vehicle parked in a suspicious area near Schwartz Rd. and Irving Rd. in Allen County. When the officer approached the vehicle, he saw that the person in the car was armed with a gun. The officer called for back-up and officers with Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police arrived.
During the interaction, the person exited the car and made an aggressive movement. After this movement, officers from all three departments fired at the person who was later confirmed deceased by medics.
During the shooting one Fort Wayne Police Officer was injured. The extent and cause of the injury is unknown.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
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